LINGFIELD FRIDAY

PAT Smullen made sure of a place for Ireland on the roll of honour as the remarkable Captain Joy, lucky to be competing at all after a life-threatening bout of colic, took the Ladbrokes All Weather Mile Championship.

Ridden with perfect judgement, the 11/1 chance just outpointed Sovereign Debt with favourite Mindurownbusiness close up in third.

Captain Joy had occupied that position himself in this race last year with Sovereign Debt just in front of him. He arguably has just that bit more determination in a tight finish and stuck his head out close home after Smullen, having allowed Captain Cat to give him a handy lead at no great pace, kicked hard for home.

A powerful, utterly genuine seven-year-old, Captain Joy gave him everything close home.

“He’s a lovely horse, a real all-weather horse,’’ the jockey said. “He tries very hard and has done very well to get back from near-death surgery. I knew if George Baker got to the front on Captain Cat he wouldn’t go too fast but I wasn’t going to let him get away!”

“We had one chance to get him qualified for this and we took it,’’ winning trainer Tracey Collins added.

“Owners Mr and Mrs Stanley have been wonderfully supportive. Captain Joy will have a rest now and wait for good ground.

“Lingfield has been very good to me and long may it continue.’’