River Captain strikes on Derby day

Epsom brings out the best in River Captain, who got a wet and blustery Derby day off and running in the Investec Sir Clement Freud Memorial Stakes.

Sylvester Kirk’s chestnut won at the rather sunnier first meeting at the course in April over an extended mile, but had a little to prove over 10 furlongs in a very competitive heritage handicap.

Eddie Ahern burst clear at the two-pole and River Captain looked no 16-1 shot as he came home five lengths clear of Tepmokea.

“Ryan Moore got off him here the last time he won and said to bring him back on Derby day,” explained Kirk.

“I was a bit worried coming here after the way he ran at Newbury last time, otherwise I’d have been keen on him.

“I’ll see what happens, but I might stick him in the Britannia at Ascot.”