Sherika delights Kelly in Limerick

The fences have to be jumped and as horse after horse crashed out of the three mile handicap chase in Limerick Sherika and Hillman fought out first-placed money with the former winning by half a length.

The nine-year-old mare Sherika (8/1) found herself in the lead on the approach to the third last. Front-running De Glebe Star was one of the many who failed to negotiate the fences as only six of the 15 runners completed the course.

On the turn for home Sherika had top-weight Hillman for company. It quickly developed into a race between these two protagonists. Despite travelling nicely, Hillman was unable to get past Sherika and was narrowly foiled at 8/1. Bookmakers had been unable to give Hillman away as he opened at 7/2 this morning. There was 15 lengths back to third-placed Molly's Boy at 10/1.

There was a major plunge on Its The Ice I Like from 11/2 down to 5/2 favouritism in the betting ring, however, he was pulled up after the fourth last.

Harry Kelly said: “I have the horse five weeks. I didn’t have much to do with her. She came looking great from Grainne O’Connor’s.

“She’s fairly straightforward and we just thought three miles over fences would suit her. The reason I have her is that the previous owners had her leased and she’s back with her breeder Dan O’Brien.”

Sherika’s chasing mark was vastly inferior to her hurdle rating prior to today. There is sure to be less of a gap once the handicapper carries out his reassessment.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes