Captain’s Pick

Recruited from Ireland in the summer of 2023, Captain’s Pick is a six-year-old son of Ocovango and is based with leading NH trainer Christian Williams in South Wales.

He is out of the Oscar mare Knockieran, who scored four times over hurdles, and is by the influential NH stallion Ocovango. The sire has enjoyed a real breakthrough in the last two seasons, siring the Gr.1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle winner Champ Kiely and the dual Coral Cup winner Langer Dan. It is also worth noting that he has a fine record when paired with Oscar mares, the nick having already resulted in useful performers such as My Reprieve and Unanswered Prayers.

Trainer Christian Williams has stated on numerous occasions that he’s impressed with the six-year-old’s ease at doing things at home and he should be a really exciting prospect for the 2024/25 NH season. 

Form

This scopey and rangy gelding ran twice in bumpers in Ireland for Pat Hughes before being picked up by the Deva Racing scouts. He finished fifth on debut, just two places behind the subsequently Gr.2-placed hurdler Answer To Kayf (Kayf Tara), then finished a 0.75L second to Minella Mate (Shantou), who has since beaten high-class sorts such as Pied Piper (New Approach), Seddon (Stowaway), and Coeur Sublime (Shantou).

Captain’s Pick had another outing in a bumper when making his debut for Christian, travelling strongly before being unable to let himself down on the quick ground, before beginning his hurdling campaign at Exeter in October. 

Too inexperienced to do himself justice on that occasion and given a break afterwards, he returned with a positive performance in a Plumpton maiden hurdle in early April 2024. Ridden with restraint at the back of the field, he kept-on into an encouraging fourth with the promise of more to come. Following a midfield finish behind Secret Squirrel (Stimulation) at Wincanton shortly afterwards, Captain’s Pick has been allocated a hurdles rating of 101 and we can’t wait to see him in handicaps.