The chestnut Cape Gentleman leads home his rivals under Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Cape Gentleman got the job done in the concluding Celtic Steps Qualified Riders Race but was made to work hard for his win.
A high-class and versatile performer, the Emmet Mullins trained six-year-old was last seen finishing ninth in the Galway Plate.
The winner of the Irish Cesarewitch in 2020, the Margaret O'Rourke owned gelding was sent off the well-supported 4/7 favourite from 5/4 in early shows.
Soon settled in second by Patrick Mullins, he was ridden from the two-furlong pole with a response not immediate.
It wasn't until the final furlong that he really got going, hitting the front with less than 150 yards to race, going on to score by a length-and-a-quarter.
The front-running Jerandme (7/1) had to settle for second under Pat Taaffe for Noel Meade, while The Shunter (9/2), also trained by Emmet Mullins, finished strongly to take third, another three-parts-of-a-length away.
"He made heavy weather of it halfway down the home straight. Thankfully Patrick was strong enough on him to get him up in the finish,” the winning trainer stated.
"It was a sprint finish and he is an out-and-out galloper and if anything, that caught him out.
"He is in the English Cesarewitch and has an entry over fences at Ballinrobe on Monday. We'll see how he is, he is a brilliant jumper and looks well in for that chase."
On The Shunter, Mullins added: "He ran a cracker and was much quicker out of the stalls today and stayed at it well.
"He should have a nice career on the Flat and the jumps in the Galway Plate seemed to slow him down. He ran a great race, has a great constitution for his age and is a dinger of a horse."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed Mr Pat Taaffe, rider of Jerandme, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. who accepted he had used his whip with excessive frequency. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(g) in that he used his whip with excessive frequency and having taken his record into account suspended him for two race days.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of The Shunter, ridden by Mr D. O'Connor, and trained by Emmet Mullins. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. Mr D. O'Connor, stated that his instructions were to get him away from stalls as he broke slowly in his previous flat run and get him relaxed. He stayed on the outer for the fresher ground and his horse responded for pressure in the straight as the horses in front came back to him. Emmet Mullins, stated that this horse was very slowly away in Sligo, they were keen to get him away from the stalls and ride the horse from there. He expressed his satisfaction with the ride given. The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that The Shunter was post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
