Point-to-point column: El Capitaine keeps up good work

There were several reasons to celebrate British point-to-pointing on the back of results at Cheltenham’s November Meeting. 

The Kayley Woollacott-trained El Capitaine finished a close fourth in the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle on Friday, having won seven point-to-points last season when under  Woollacott's husband, Josh Newman. 

El Capitaine, owned by Ivan Thompson, was ridden by Tiernan Power Roche and is the perfect example of how a season within the grass-roots sport can help a horse to realise their potential.  

A private purchase out of Ireland, Woollacott said: “I buy a lot of horses through JD Moore, and in May of 2024 I was heading up to Doncaster sales with Ivan in the car when JD rang me offering me El Capitaine. He had some bits of form in behind some useful handicappers and had once finished third but had the profile I look for when buying a maiden.” 

She added: “The deal was done subject to vet, and Ivan asked me what my plan was. I needed to find an owner, and he  said he would buy him. I had also previously bought from the owner, Chris Jones. We had Paloma Blue from him, so I was confident that we were sticking to a formula that worked.” 

Rising through the grades within point-to-pointing last season, El Capitaine finished runner-up in the leading horse category, giving connections the go-ahead to return to Jump racing under Rules. 

El Capitaine won a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot under Harry Cobden last month, and making the frame at Cheltenham confirmed his wellbeing. 

“Inevitably, in an 18-runner conditionals’ handicap, we met a few traffic problems along the way,” Woollacott said. “He ran a blinder, though, and we were very happy. We may look at the Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton over Christmas.” 

Thompson, who lives in Ireland, has been involved with Woollacott and her team for five seasons. While his initial interest was to purchase stores to produce, win with, and sell, an underlying dream of owning one outright to enjoy led him to El Capitaine. 

He said: “When I met Kayley and Josh and we began our venture with the buying and selling of stores, the point-to-pointing scene soon became something I loved. I met some wonderful people who never failed to involve me and had a really good time embracing the pointing lifestyle. When it came to buying El Capitaine, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and let's just say he was ‘well bought'.” 

On arrival in Britain, Woollacott adopted an individual training regime with. “He was very ‘hot' and we spent a long time dropping him in at the back of the string and focused on keeping a lid on him and keeping it all steady,” she said. “The first time we allowed him to go on in a nice piece of work at Larkhill, he showed us he had an engine. Getting beaten first time out at Knightwick was more because the whole day affected him but over time he has learnt to settle in every respect and at Cheltenham last week he was very chilled. 

“He was a little uneducated when we got him. He had loads of raw talent and just needed to grasp the idea. A bit of guidance and a different regime have helped him.” 

It has never been a secret that many horses who fail under Rules can relish a change of scenery and routine that point-to-point training can offer. 

El Capaitane is not alone and is a flag bearer for British point-to-pointing.  “National Hunt racing should be working hard to keep pointing, it is so important to have the grass-roots system for horses like him that just lose their way in the early days,” Woollacott said. 

“Josh and I have done it with so many that have then returned under Rules and won multiple times. When buying horses, we target just this type. They are educated and have experience, but need something different. Each is different but can hit the ground running.” 

The regime within the Woollacott yard and the talented team around her is something that has always impressed Thompson. 

“Kayley's attention to detail is second to none,” he says. “Between her and Josh, they are phenomenal. The journey pointing was incredible and down to their hard work. I am a modest man and never believed it when people kept telling me how good he was and that he would win. But he kept winning and it was wonderful.” 

The decision to go back under Rules was an easy one.“Why not? I love pointing, but the horse deserved his chance to go back to the racecourse proper,” he said. “When we arrived at Cheltenham, someone said, ‘ooh, have you brought the point-to-pointer?’ I thought, well, yes, we have, but he is a good one! It’s fascinating that a handful of people still think pointing is an easy option. He ran a blinder and I am thrilled we have reset his career.” 

Yet again, the synchronisation between the grassroots sport and National Hunt shines through. And long may it be a system that works. 

Dunsmore, Devon, EX5 4DU. Gates open 10.30am, first race 12.30pm. Six races. 

Garthorpe, Leicestershire, LE14 2RT. Gates open 10.30am, first race at noon. Six races.