Paul Nolan may have got Paul Carberry for the ride on Captain Declan but by his own admission "it was a bit of a surprise" when the 12/1 shot proved three parts of a length too strong for the favourite, Jack Bene in the Gorey Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.

Captain Declan and Jack Bene had a good battle from before the last but in the end the former prevailed.

Nolan said: "That bumper (early April at Fairyhouse) that he ran in was probably a bit better that it looked at the time. The ground was bottomless that day and he was only 3 months in training at the time.

"The ground was very safe out there and he got a great ride from a genius in the saddle."

Captain Declan is owned by Declan Brennan of Brennans Bread.