Gentleman may be set for Dublin Festival

Emmet Mullins novice has Grade One entry.

Emmet Mullins is considering an appearance at next weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival for his exciting prospect Cape Gentleman.

Runner-up to the Willie Mullins-trained Mt Leinster on his Irish debut at Listowel last autumn, the French recruit subsequently went one better in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh.

The Champs Elysees gelding made a smart start to his hurdling career at Punchestown last month – and could step up to Grade One level for the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors 50k Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

“Cape Gentleman is entered in the Grade One two-mile-six-furlong novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival,” said Mullins

“He had been entered in the Lawlor’s in Naas, but we missed that because I just wasn’t happy.”

The trainer’s confidence was boosted by the impressive success of Cape Gentleman’s stable companion Noble Yeats in a bumper at Thurles on Wednesday.

A GBP 75,000 purchase from the point-to-point field, the six-year-old could finish only third on his bumper debut at Limerick, but raised his game to win by 19 lengths on his second start at Thurles this week.

Mullins added: “Noble Yeats was beaten at Limerick over Christmas, and I just wasn’t sure what was going on, so we sat on our hands for a while – but it looks like all systems go now.

“We were very disappointed at Limerick, but I would say on the day it was a good bumper. He had been showing us plenty at home, but I was doubting myself coming (to Thurles) and he was good and impressive – I couldn’t ask for any more.

“It was just good to get that win, and he showed his true colours; he’s an exciting horse for the future, and when we go jumping we could be looking forward to better things.”

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