Caim Hill is driven out by Richie Kiely from First Impressions in second© Photo Healy Racing
Caim Hill took the last at Limerick this evening, the Hermitage Green 26th July Qualified Riders Race, under Richie Kiely for trainer Philip Fenton.
The 9yo son of Deploy bounced back to form in a similar contest at Wexford last month when beating Earls Quarter by three parts of a length and he then finished second to Victrix Gale in a competitive handicap hurdle at Listowel last time out.
Considering his last two runs he was surprisingly sent off at the odds of 14/1 this evening (opened 7/1 this morning) but he stayed consistent to his form and won by a length and three parts.
Having tracked the leaders early on, he travelled well and hit the front before the straight. He then stayed on well under pressure from a furlong out, holding off the challenge of First Impressions for Michael Mulvany at 25/1. Capal Dubh Alainn ran well to finish a further three and a half lengths back in third at 40/1 for William O’Brien and Ambrose McCurtin.
The 4/7 favourite The Real Article for Edward O’Grady and James Carroll never really looked like winning and was under pressure turning into the straight and eventually finished fourth.
Winning trainer Philip Fenton said afterwards: "He is finding his way back but he will have to go over fences again at some stage. He might go for the Midlands National now or the Amateur riders race at (formerly the GPT) Galway. He would be rated high enough to get into that now.
"He had plenty of problems last year and his owner Michael Dempsey, who is from West Cork, has had great patience with him."
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
