Hamilton takes the Amateur Derby on Rockabill Rockabill got up close home to take the Paddy Power Amateur Riders Derby Handicap under Tom Hamilton for Joseph O'Brien. Successful at Killarney last week, the son of Fastnet Rock was upped in trip to a mile and a half for the first time this evening, and was sent off at 13/2 in the colours of owner Demi O'Byrne. Settled towards rear, the bay victor was pushed along on the outer from the three furlong pole, and soon made progress. He was ridden to challenge with a furlong left to race, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards, before going on to prevail by half a length. Bay Hill, who improved to lead from the four furlong pole, was the one just denied, and he was returned at 20/1 under Aine O'Connor for Padraig Roche. The 5/2 favourite Makitorix was a nose back in third, with Patrick Mullins aboard this one for his father Willie. O'Brien said afterwards: "He's been a slow learner and he's toughed it out. We liked him early on and then he had us scratching our heads. He's started to progress like a typical Fastnet Rock, and that was even a huge step up from his last run. "We think he'll stay a bit further, and he's a nice colt. "The plan was to sit second or third but we ended up sitting second or third last! That was a step up in class from a small field in Killarney to a big field around here, and he was green and immature in the first half of the race." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
