Kelp Forest (nearest) beats Clinton Hill© Photo Healy Racing
Kelp Forest wore down Clinton Hill inside the final furlong to give trainer Tim Hyde a quick double in the bumpers at Limerick today.
It looked to be going to plan for 5/6 shot Clinton Hill in the two-miler as he saw off the attentions of Warlike Intent early in the straight.
14/1 shot Kelp Forest soon launched a challenge, however, and found plenty for Stephen Connor to get on top inside the final furlong and record a three-parts victory.
The winning Arcadio gelding had been runner-up in a point-to-point and shaped with promise on his 'track' debut at Punchestown last April.
He had been well held, however, in two runs on his return to action back in November.
Hyde paid tribute to the gelding's previous trainer William Codd, who died in late January, after the win:-
“My thoughts are with William Codd who trained him the poor fellow. I'd never have brought him home if William had been alive.
"He ran a very good race in the Landrover Bumper and we always thought he was good but he didn't run well on his next two runs.
"Poor William, my thoughts are with him.
"Stephen is with us and rides very well. He has won two or three bumpers for us and is well worth his claim."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
