Cape Gentleman comes home a comfortable winner under Ronan Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
Cape Gentleman proved a shrewd purchase by connections, as he landed the Paddy Power Irish Cesarewitch on just his second in Ireland.
A winner on his third outing at Clairefontaine in August of last year, the son of Champs Elysees then changed hands for E80,000.
A fine second to Mt Leinster on his Irish debut at Listowel last month, the chestnut gelding was sent off a 15/2 this afternoon, making his debut in handicap company.
Settled behind the leaders by Ronan Whelan, the Margaret O'Rourke owned four-year-old took over in front from stable mate Sneaky Getaway at the two furlong pole.
Soon ridden, he kept on well inside the final furlong, going to prevail by two lengths from the Luke Comer trained 100/1 chance Aircraft Carrier in second. De Name Escapes Me (18/1) finished another length and a half back in third, while Brazos who won this race in 2018, finished fourth. Royal Illusion (later disqualified, see below) and Run For Mary were sent off the 3/1 joint-favourites and they finished sixth and fourteenth respectively.
Mullins said afterwards: "We got this horse a year ago and it's all worked out well. We had him ready to go during the summer and he just met with a little hiccup and it was great to get the run into him at Listowel coming here.
"My only worry was that he hadn't ran for a year and it was just 16 days back from the Listowel run. It was a quick enough turnaround considering that he hadn't run for a year.
"This is a huge race to win. We'll see what the handicapper will do now. He was primarily bought to jump hurdles and I'm sure he will do that at some stage.
"We have options now and we are in a good place."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Run For Mary, trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. H. T. Hynes, regarding the failure of J.M. Sheridan, rider of Royal Illusion, placed sixth, to weigh in after this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards found J. M. Sheridan in breach of Rule 227(i) and having considered J. M. Sheridan's record in this regard the Stewards suspended J. M. Sheridan for two racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. Furthermore, pursuant to Rule 230(ii) the Stewards disqualified Royal Illusion.
Amended result now reads:
Cape Gentleman placed first.
Aircraft Carrier placed second.
De Name Escapes Me placed third.
Brazos placed fourth.
Kings Vow placed fifth.
L.T. McAteer, rider of Sneaky Getaway trained by Emmet Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly left.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
