Sally Parkyn

RETURNING to the venue for the second year in succession, Australia’s Kevin McNab racked up the first of his two Millstreet victories in an incident-filled CIC*.

Riding Samantha Burbidge’s smart seven-year-old Catch Me 51, the Surrey-based rider challenged from an opening second place, and smoothly completed on his dressage mark of 44.8. The son of the thoroughbred Coral Beach was placed sixth in the young horse CIC* at the venue 12 months ago and, according to McNab, has been quite a slow burner.

“I’ve had him since buying him through Francesca Pollara as a five-year-old,” he said. “He’s a big horse and has taken time, but has a playful personality and is great fun to ride.”

The Australian’s passage to the top was eased when overnight leaders Sophie How and Pebbly Aga Khan retired after a surprise refusal at the second element of the Gypsy Wagons at the third. The former junior individual European champions and dual Burghley Young Event Horse champions had held a four mark lead overnight, but now in the twilight of his career, the 15-year-old favourite only runs when competitive.

BENEFIT

McNab was not the only one to benefit from How’s departure, as British international Nicky Roncoroni moved up into second spot with Mullaghmeen (45.9). The Irish bred seven-year-old by Mullentine Cavalier (bred by Joseph Coogan) also kept his first phase score intact, as did JP Sheffield riding the dressage-bred stallion Woodlander Wesuvio (48.2) in third.

The latter, who is now 12 years old, switched careers some years ago, while fourth-placed Kilpatrick Lord is another dual-purpose performer. A year older, the son of Kings Master enjoyed an illustrious show hunter career under regular jockey Lesley Webb, winning at the RDS both on the flat and in the working ranks. Now proving equally successful on the event track, the Joan Dolan-bred gelding emerged best of the home side on 51.1.

Also impressing, a busy Louise Bloomer flew the flag for Brennanstown Riding School when she filled fifth and sixth places. Piloting Hollybrook Star and Hollybrook Pipsqueak for her mother Jane, she edged ahead of British junior Katherine Cross (Romeo Z) as well as Elaine Murphy, who took eighth spot with Nino Manoso.

All three phases proved influential but it was the cross-country that really jostled the order. The tricky drop to skinny (7ab) and the brush corners (15ab) proved to be the biggest bogeys, and among the notables to drop out of contention there was the well-placed Sarah Dowley (Shannondale Dita). In eighth spot overnight, the grey mare was not alone when looking twice at Flynn’s Folly (7a) and did so again at the Offset Trees (11 and 12).

Just a place adrift, Sarah Ennis and Lenamore Lux walked home from the tricky corners (15ab) in the middle of the park, while the new combination of Aidan Keogh and Castle Howard Ace were going well before adding 20 penalties at the Lime Kiln Water.