COLIN Bowe has used Knockanard as the launch pad for one or two smart four-year-olds in the past, most notably the now dual Grade 1 winner Ferny Hollow in 2019.

While his winning distance of 15 lengths was not matched by his winner this year, Captain Teague (94++), the impression of this performance was just as striking.

Easing clear on the climb from the second last, his debut victory looked almost assured by the home bend such was the ease that he extended clear up the tough hill, and he has to be considered very exciting.

It was one of two successes in the age division on the afternoon for the Milestone Stables team, as Willmount (94+) proved himself to be a very sharp sort, one who would likely easily take a drop in trip, having quickened best off a slow gallop in a race where the front pair pulled clear.

Impressive

Those noteworthy debuts followed the particularly impressive victory of Broughshane (95+) at Kirkistown on the previous afternoon.

Taking over front-running duties following a slow opening lap, he steadily began to increase the tempo on the final circuit after posting an excellent round of jumping, and he really took control approaching the home bend to ultimately cross the line with Noel McParlan motionless in the saddle.

We saw three very smart four-year-olds last weekend. In the open division, Some Man (116++) proved once again that when right he is one of the top performers around in the category with a 20-length defeat of the more than capable Poli Roi.