Caim Hill, green cap, comprehensively wins the last race of the Listowel festival © Photo Healy Racing
Caim Hill earned compensation for coming second in Listowel two days ago when he romped home at 5/1 in the last race of the Harvest Festival week – the Listowel Races Supporters Club Slan Abhaile Qualified Riders’ Race.
The veteran forged on from the home bend and had too much in the tank for 11/4 favourite Marchese Marconi who made eyecatching progress through the field but the forward momentum stalled in the final furlong as he went down by four and a half lengths. Jennies Jewel who initially raced second dropped to third at the finish, a further six lengths behind Marchese Marconi at 10/1.
“He’s a grand horse. He has plenty of age on him as he’s a 10-year-old now, but he keeps getting a few races every year,” trainer Philip Fenton said.
“It’s a great race to finish off with and nice prize money too. He’s been a fantastic horse. That’s 13 wins now. He’s a bit cowardly over fences, but a race like the Cork National over three and a half miles would suit because they are going that bit slower.
“I think I won this race a couple of times, but I remember winning on Time For A Run for Edward O’Grady [in 1997].”
This year’s Jewson winner Benefficient came in fourth on his first run since being pulled up in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Punchestown Festival.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
