DESPITE his ongoing talk of retirement, Trevor Smith showed he’s still very much a force to be reckoned with as he landed a tough CIC1* with HHF Elegance. In second spot from the outset (31.6), Smith delivered one of just two double clear rounds to lead Sadhbh McGrath (Bridgemans Cocoa Malt) by three marks. Describing the seven-year-old son of Watermill Swatch as “a real good horse with a big future,” Smith explained that he is owned by a syndicate of long-term friends and supporters.

Among them are dressage trainer Alan Dewhurst, Dr Janet Hall, Jo Marley and John Milford. “They all pull together,” added Smith, who also recalled winning the same class eight years ago.

Bred at Nina Barbour’s Harthill Stud in Cheshire, HHF Elegance was evented in England by Charlotte Allwood. “He was sent to me to ride and sell, and having liked him, we formed a syndicate to buy him,” explained Smith.

Smith’s promotion was at the expense of overnight leaders Michael Ryan and TR Kaygraff. Winners of the equivalent class at Camphire in July, and heading into the country with a narrow advantage on 31.3, Ryan looked to be going well until he expensively glanced off twice at the tricky ‘C’ brush (13) before the Castle Water.

The pair completed, but plummeting down the leaderboard opened the door for the recently crowned national amateur CNC* champions Sadhbh McGrath and the lovely grey Bridgmans Cocoa Malt. Bred by Brendan O’Shea, and sourced by the McGrath family six years ago, the gelding was initially campaigned by Darren Coady, and then for them by Sarah Ennis.

He represented Ireland at Le Lion D’Angers in 2013, and in the subsequent years, the son of Chacoa has given both Sadhbh and her sister Ailbhe a huge amount of fun, in both the amateur and open ranks. “He didn’t like the sticky ground in the dressage,” said McGrath. “However, he was awesome in the country, came out strong and found the extra gear.”

British rider Simon Grieve filled third with the Wivolet Van Beek-sired six-year-old Bonhunt Bertie, from Camilla Speirs riding the smart Lukas for Lulu Parkhill, and Caroline Lynch’s Lisheenbrone Smooth Stepper ridden by Amy Parsons.

Cross-country penalties were clocked up in number, seven incurring stops at differing fences on track. Ryan aside, none affected the business end of the leaderboard, although Romy McCarthy was so unlucky not to capitalise on her sixth placing, when Millridge Cara downed tools at the last.