CAPE GENTLEMAN IS in line for a Grade One tilt after taking his record over fences to a perfect two from two with an authoritative success at Cork – on what was a day to remember for trainer Emmet Mullins.
Sent off at 100-30, with stablemate Noble Yeats heading the market for Sunday’s Grade Three Novice Chase, the Brian Hayes-ridden five-year-old led from flag-fall and survived a minor blip two out to come 14 lengths clear of Run Wild Fred.
Mullins said of his charge, who has also won on the Flat and over hurdles: “He jumped great again and handled the ground. It’s loose, but they’re getting through it – and they’re not out on their feet, thankfully.
“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 (next month).
Cape Gentleman – who earned quotes of 14-1 for the Marsh Novices’ Chase and 16-1 for the Arkle with Paddy Power – was a second winner on the card for Mullins and Hayes, after Crowns Major doubled his career tally under National Hunt rules with a seven-length victory in the opening maiden hurdle.
It got even better for Mullins when Agritime gave him a first ever treble in landing the bumper as the 30-100 favourite, ridden by his cousin, Patrick Mullins.
The trainer said: “That’s my first treble, and there weren’t too many times when we had enough runners to have had one.”
Jack Kennedy recorded a notable victory as he landed the Paddy Power-sponsored Cork Grand National for the first time, aboard Braeside for Gordon Elliott.
Kennedy had the 16-1 chance perfectly positioned throughout, travelling and jumping well before taking over two out and safely navigating the last for a three-length triumph from Screaming Colours.
He is absolutely right. For far too long the mentality is and this even goes to the our nick name the ” wee county ” that we are a small county so we dont expect to do well. If we beat a Kildare or a Meath the year is a success which is not acceptable. We have a bigger population than most. Louth does have a large choice to pick from. Look at the counties that surround Louth. Dublin, Meath, Monaghan, Armagh and Down have all enjoyed success in All Ireland competition were Louth is left behind. The question has to be asked, why? Cause the mentality is not right, we shoukd be expecting to beat the teams I just mentioned except for Dublin who are a professional team in everything but name. Dublin are showing the future of GAA and fair play to them.
what would you describe as success would it be winning Leinster?
Winning a Leinster Championship would absolutely be a success for Louth as it has not happened for a long long time. Its all about making baby steps forward to an ultimate target. Why cant they get to the knock out stages of the All Ireland series and build from there year on year. Ciaran Byrne a superb talent whi recently joined Carlton in the AFL even said it himself in an Irish Independent interview “we are a small county so we dont really have a chance in winning a Leinster or All Ireland” so if a mentality like that is in a young star at that stage its definetly an issue and it shouldnt be. 2 of the biggest towns in the country in our county. Some people forget this. We have been perennial underachievers in my opinion.
Winning a Leinster Championship would absolutely be a success for Louth as it has not happened for a long long time. Its all about making baby steps forward to an ultimate target. Why cant they get to the knock out stages of the All Ireland series and build from there year on year. Ciaran Byrne a superb talent whi recently joined Carlton in the AFL even said it himself in an Irish Independent interview “we are a small county so we dont really have a chance in winning a Leinster or All Ireland” so if a mentality like that is in a young star at that stage its definetly an issue and it shouldnt be. 2 of the biggest towns in the country in our county. Some people forget this. We have been perennial underachievers in my opinion.
improvement in the league might be more realistic over the next couple of years as this dublin squad and management have a fixation on winning and that includes Leinster titles and I agree as a dub I would love to see Louth challenge for leinsters
Louth have a bigger population than Kilkenny…so it’s not about population.
Patrick you say you should be expecting to beat teams except Dublin that’s great mentality way better so getting to a Leinster final and its against Dublin do you reckon there’s any point in heading up to croke park
infairness Robbie he is been realistic
Baby steps Robbie, baby steps!!!
Baby steps for life I’m afraid !