'Exciting times ahead' for Cape Gentleman

Galway Hurdle-third Cape Gentleman jumped well and impressively made all in Cork's Grade 3 Paddy Power From The Horses Mouth EBF Novice Chase today, completing notable doubles for trainer Emmet Mullins and jockey Brian Hayes.

The son of Champs Elysees had previously won the Irish Cesarewitch in October 2020, a Kempton Grade 2 novice hurdle last February and filled third-place behind Saldier in July's Galway showpiece race.

A debut chase winner at Punchestown last month, Cape Gentleman today jumped well, racing keenly under jockey Hayes who steered him to a 14 lengths win over Run Wild Fred

Mullins and Hayes had earlier won the opening maiden hurdle with Crowns Major a Galway Premier Handicap winner in July and following his second winner, trainer Mullins said "he (Cape Gentleman) jumped great again and handled the ground.

“It was good to get that second run into him now, for that bit more experience, and he’s probably entitled to go on to Fairyhouse now for the Drinmore. Hopefully if he puts in another performance of jumping like that, he’ll take beating wherever he goes.

“I told Brian he didn’t have to make it, just to keep rolling on him. Brian says he’s like a big cat to jump, he’s so nimble and athletic. And he’s versatile ground-wise. It was proper good ground in Punchestown and there are a lot of strings to his bow. It’s exciting times ahead.”