First makes a big Impression First Impressions caused a 20/1 shock when taking the Hermitage Green Play Live 26th July Handicap Hurdle in convincing fashion under John Cullen at Limerick. The six-year-old gelding was sent into a decisive lead early in the home straight, and the son of Beneficial kept up the gallop to beat the staying on Zaralabad (8/1) by three and a half lengths. In A Nutshell (10/1) was a further length and three quarters back in third, while Alf Wright (11/1) completed the placings in this 18 runner event. It was somewhat surprising that the winner was let off at such generous odds (paid €24.50 on the Tote) having previously filled the runner-up spot here on the Flat. Winning trainer Michael Mulvany said, “He’s come back to form, and ran well the last day. I was not expecting him to be 20/1, and I had a small bet. “He’s a horse that’s had a few problems all year, and hopefully we’ll aim now at a 0-116 two and a half miles handicap hurdle at Galway. “He’s bred to be a three miler from the family of Florida Pearl, and whatever he does as a hurdler he’ll be twice as good a chaser.”
