Aye, aye Captain! Drake bounces back to form to win Devon National for Harry Fry

Friday: Exeter

High-class staying chaser Captain Drake returned to winning ways for the first time since October 2020 to win the feature Devon National under Bryan Carver for Harry Fry.

The nine-year-old had previously been second in the Midlands National and fourth in the Welsh National and finally won Exeter's version, picking up strongly to defeat Classic Ben for victory at 20-1. The dual winner Dawson City was running in the race for a fifth time as a 13-year-old and finished third.

Fry, who also won the bumper with the exciting Altobelli, said: "The handicapper had given him a chance if he wanted to play ball as he'd shown nothing this season. He was 13lb lower than when he ran in the Welsh National, so if he wanted to turn up he could go close.

"I'm delighted for Bryan Carver who gets on well with the horse and he's had a very interrupted season, so it's great to see him back and give him such a well-timed ride."

The Midlands National is once again an option for Captain Drake, while the trainer will likely keep things low key for Altobelli, who justified 6-4 favouritism in the style of a smart prospect.

He added: "He'd been doing things nicely at home and you dream of horses doing things like that on their debut, so he's a lovely horse to look forward to. The dream is alive and that's what it's all about."

Moroder on the march

Moroder made it three wins from three starts over fences in the 3m novice handicap chase under James Best for Seamus Mullins.

The improving eight-year-old stretched clear of some in-form rivals and looks capable of stepping up in grade.

Results, replays and analysis

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