NOT one clear round was recorded in the RDS small event horse qualifier at Tattersalls on Thursday but the two geldings who booked their Dublin tickets had more in common than just four faults apiece as both carried the Ardeo prefix of Enniskerry-based producer Melanie Wrynn.

The winner, who, in 142.76, was nearer the optimum time of 145 seconds, was Ardeo Dime, purchased by his owner/rider Jodie Ronan just two weeks ago.

By the thoroughbred French Buffet, the seven-year-old bay was bred in Co Kerry by Gerard and Eithne O’Connor out of their Puissance mare Artic Puissance.

Ardeo Dime evented last year under the name French Puissance, when ridden by Eric O’Driscoll, and this season when the ride was shared between Leila Barker, who currently works full-time with Ardeo Sport Horses, and Wrynn herself. As Ronan is more involved in show jumping these days, it won’t be surprising to find Thursday’s winner going down that route after Dublin.

Home in 141 seconds, Ardeo Illusion is owned by Barker who is due to take up a position shortly working with racehorses having been with Wrynn for three years.

BEST-PLACE FINISH

A five-year-old chesnut gelding by the Irish Sport Horse stallion Beach Ball, Ardeo Illusion was bred in Co Tyrone by Thomas McGuigan out of the Clover Echo mare Royale Echo.

He has competed in six Eventing Ireland one-days, his best-place finish coming when sixth in an EI 90 class at Kilmanahan (2) late last year.

There were some hard luck stories such as Hugh Weldon picking up four faults in 139.9 on Harold McGahern’s home-bred Cashman gelding Manologic and Christine O’Donnell having four jumping penalties and one for time when home in 145.45 on Cruising Caricello.

The class attracted its largest entry to date this season, although six of the 18 didn’t turn up including Ronan’s Ardeo Fun Size who has been sold to Scotland.