Cesarewitch winner scores on hurdles debut

October's Irish Cesarewitch winner Cape Gentleman (5/4f) made a winning debut over jumps at Punchestown today as the Emmet Mullins trained, Brian Hayes partnered gelding landed the Gift A Donation This Year Maiden Hurdle.

The son of Champs Elysees won the prestigious €75,000 Cesarewitch at the Curragh on his previous start, thus improving his flat rating to 96, and today showed plenty of natural jumping ability.

The four year old did blunder at the fourth-last flight but otherwise jumped well, raced with enthusiasm and won eased down by two lengths from Petibonome.

Following the race trainer Mullins said “that was great, it was great to get him on the board on his first run over hurdles.

“Brian seemed very happy and he's over the moon with him. We'll have a look at the program book now - he's a horse to look forward to in the spring.

“I told Brian to keep filling him up and not to go for broke. He was very excited coming back in and he loved him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson