Some 29 combinations contested the class, which was supported by Horse Sport Ireland and Pegus Horse Feeds. Paul Duffy designed the course, which rode very well on the good grass conditions at the show, where 13 horses jumped clear in the first round. Just three of those managed to repeat the feat in the second round. Second to jump, Willie McDonnell and Ballinagore Ice set the standard with a clear round in 48.22 seconds. Five horses later, Eric Glynn and Retiro Van W jumped into second place with a clear in 49.33. Thomas O’Brien and KEC Corleone’s jumping was faultless although on the slow side, the pair adding a single time fault to their tally.

Three horses later Thomas returned, this time with Ullrich, and was determined to improve his position. This time his use of the ground was economical, the jumping perfect and his time 47.83.

The time was beaten by Cormac Hanley and Captains Magic Touch (46.11) but at the expense of one fence down.

The following day, the fifth leg of the Shavings.ie Connaught Grand Prix League was held at River View EC in Crossmolina, Co Mayo.

There were 34 starters on Sunday, resulting in 14 going through to the jump-off. Cormac Hanley, taking time out from his Leaving Certificate studies, had a super round to take the lead in a time of 41.85 with John Byrne’s Captains Magic Touch. This was to be short-lived however, as Thomas O’Brien and Noel Delahunty’s Lux Classic jumped clear in 41.51.

It looked like that would be the final result until local man Darren Hopkins, another Leaving Certificate student, took on the course on Mister Cruise, owned by his grandfather Leo Carey. He scorched around the course with support from a rapturous crowd to win the class in 40.88.