Captain’s Pick

The six-year-old Ocovango gelding Captain’s Pick is based with successful NH trainer Christian Williams in South Wales. He made the breakthrough in a 3m Perth handicap hurdle in June 2024 and is brimming with promise for the future.

A strong and scopey individual, he is out of the Oscar mare Knockieran, who was a useful four-time hurdles winner in Ireland, and she is in turn a half-sister to the dam of Champagne Well, who was second in a trio of Gr.2 novice hurdles during the 2019/20 NH season.

The sire Ocovango enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2022/23, siring the Gr.1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle winner Champ Kiely and the Coral Cup winner Langer Dan. He has continued to build his reputation since, with Langer Dan going on to win another Coral Cup and placing at Gr.1 level, and new stars such as Theatre Man, Mr Vango and Pinkerton emerging.

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. 

Against this backdrop, it is unsurprising that Captain’s Pick was well fancied when making his debut in a Cork bumper in April 2023, albeit he was up against the might of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. He ended up finishing a promising fifth behind the Elliott-trained Will Do, with the runner-up Ballystone winning over hurdles at Ballinrobe the following month and the third Answer To Kayf (Kayf Tara) later placing at Gr.2 level. 

Captain’s Pick reappeared in a Kilbeggan bumper in mid-June and was sent off an 11/4 chance in a field of 12. He looked like the winner for much of the journey, particularly when powering to the front over a furlong out. Although his greenness got the better of him late on, and he was headed by the more experienced Minella Mate, Captain’s Pick looked the standout horse in the race.

Previously based with Pat Doyle, renowned for having shaped the early careers of future superstars such as Bob Olinger, Appreciate It and First Lieutenant, Captain’s Pick joined the yard of Christian Williams soon after his Kilbeggan second. Christian has a deft touch with his horses, always placing them to best advantage, and has previously handled the Scottish National winner Win My Wings, the Welsh National winner Potters Corner, and Kitty’s Light, who completed an unprecedented Eider/Scottish National/Bet 365 Gold Cup treble in 2023.

Captain’s Pick had one more run in a bumper for Christian, finishing fifth at Worcester, before being sent over hurdles. Despite needing some time off after his first hurdles start, he displayed huge promise when fourth at Perth in April and returned to the same track two months later to win by half a length under Jack Tudor, on his first try at 3m. He has only been raised 5lb for that success and is sure to be winning again soon.

With his long-term future likely to lie over fences, it is exciting to see Captain’s Pick get off the mark over hurdles so early in his career. We can’t wait to see what he does in the coming season and beyond.