Promising Prospect For Getaway After Maiden Hurdle Victory

A return to softer ground saw Captain Drake (5g Getaway - Julika, by Nebos) gain his maiden win over hurdles at Uttoxeter on Friday.

The Harry Fry-trained bay was sent off favourite for the two and a half mile maiden hurdle and was held up Noel Fehily for much of the way. Leading approaching the third last, he was pushed out to score by three and a quarter lengths. Fehily later said, “He's a big, strong horse who is suited by soft conditions.”

The going was described as heavy, just as when Captain Drake won his bumper in March, while his fine second in a point-to-point came over three miles on soft ground. Harry Fry bought him from handler Denis Murphy for £115,000 at last year’s Cheltenham December Sale, and he now runs for Gary Stevens and Brian and Sandy Lambert. Bred by Gary Hadden, the son of Getaway is a half-brother to the ten-time winner Tornado In Milan (Milan).

Lord Getaway (6g Getaway - Terre D’Orient, by Kabool) completed a quickfire double for his Grange Stud sire when taking the following race, a three mile hurdle, for James Evans and owner B Preece. The Paul and Lucy Gibbons-bred bay was following up on his successful chase debut at Huntingdon earlier in the month.