Sally Parkyn

MICHAEL Ryan headed three Irish combinations to reach a long-awaited career milestone in the feature Noel C Duggan CCI*** in one of the weekend’s most exciting climaxes.

Recording his debut win at the level, Ryan and Dunlough Striker produced a faultless display over the coloured poles to pip compatriot Aoife Clark (Pink Gin) in the final moments.

“It’s not been easy to win one of these!” quipped Ryan afterwards. “I’m just delighted for my owners Tom and Carol Henry, who have supported us for so long, and it’s really nice to give them something back.”

The American couple have owned the son of Maltstriker (dam by Beau Royale), since sourcing him from Robbie Collins two years ago. Bred by Kevin Nolan, the 11-year-old came close when picking up a third placing in a similar class at Ballindenisk last spring, and headed the CIC** at Kilguilkey later in the year.

“I’m just lucky enough that Tom and Carol bought him for me, and credit is also due to Robbie and Victoria who produced him so well,” added the Bandon man. “I always felt that he was a four-star horse and when I pressed the button across country yesterday and he responded, I knew that I have a proper one.”

Always in contention, Ryan opened in sixth spot on the flat (54.0), and after a brilliant run in the country improved to challenge from second place overnight (54.7). Another foot perfect display in the show jumping followed and, with less than a fence in hand, Aoife Clark and Pink Gin had no margin to err.

Visibly sore following two falls over the weekend, Clark was clear until the halfway point but, flattening through the double, Pink Gin agonisingly lowered both parts of that, as well as a further two.

James Tarrant’s show jumping track had proved influential throughout, and another to benefit from a clear round was the second-placed duo of Austin O’Connor and Kilpatrick Knight (Master Imp) on 61.0. The pair had posted a smart 52.6 to fill fourth place on the flat, but initially lost their advantage when clocking up a costly 8.4 time penalties in the country.

“I was a little disappointed after the cross-country, as I didn’t get to go quite as quick as I had planned,” reflected O’Connor. “He’s a real top of the ground horse, and can sometimes lose ground in the air. He’s made up for it today though, and I’m thrilled for him and owner Wendie Foster who has been here all week.”

Filling third place and rounding off a great result for Irish riders and similarly-bred horses were Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua (61.3). Although the Co Kildare based duo lowered the third, they completed just ahead of American visitor Lillian Heard and LCC Cooley (61.5), as well as last year’s CIC** victors Jesse Campbell and Cleveland.

The new CCI*** cross country track was unveiled on Saturday, when 15 runners went to post. As both the track and the time proved influential, placings were considerably juggled on Saturday night.

Overnight leaders Ros Canter and Zenshera lost their early advantage when adding 11.6 penalties for time, while in third spot Ciaran Glynn and November Night incurred 20 penalties when not finding the line they wanted in the water (18b).

British visitor Serena McGregor also had a less than happy time. Riding her pathfinder Traitors Ford, she was eliminated for missing out a loop and then later refused at the Irish Bank complex (15b) aboard Park Diamond Lux. Aidan Keogh and Master Tredstep were the only ones to walk home, when they called it a day at the H.S.I Flynn’s Folly drop to skinny (5b).

The overall result delivered a fantastic boost for Irish breeding, as all bar one of the cosmopolitan list of riders were mounted on Irish-bred horses.