Capability Brown gives 100%

Lucy Capper seals a victory in the first JA classic of the season and a mare continues to surprise

- SARAH RADFORD

Large Pony Premier, Morris EC, Ayrshire

LUCY CAPPER piloted Capability Brown to a runaway victory in the first JA classic of the season, delivering the sole treble clear and fastest time by more than three seconds. Last of four to make the final phase, Renfrewshire-based Lucy and the 13-year-old gelding made deceptively light work of Mark McGowan's 1.30m track.

"It was technical and they put it up quite a lot for the third round, which I think caused some people to fault," said Lucy. "I'd been told that we needed to jump a triple clear, but I wanted to have some insurance in case we had a pole. I hadn't watched anyone go before me, so I didn't know how quickly I needed to go - he's naturally very fast, so I just added in some turns and it paid off."

Capability Brown first came to prominence with Lily Attwood, who finished second on him in the newcomers final in 2018, and was most recently ridden by Noora von Bülow, before Lucy took over the reins 15 months ago.

"He is strong, very powerful, fiery and fast," said 14-year-old Lucy, who trains with Douglas Duffin. "Every time I go into the ring, he gives me 100%."

Darcy Breen was one of the four to make the third round on the first day, having one down on One Saharah for third. They went two places better in Sunday's JA classic, jumping from final draw to clock the fastest of two treble clears.

One Saharah was bought from Paul McAteer last year and jumped at the London International, but this was her first pony premier.

"It wasn't that nerve-racking going into the jump-off as she'd finished third the day before and qualified, so everyone said just try to win it and give her a practice against the clock, as she hasn't done that much," said Darcy.