Sally Parkyn

THE enduringly popular fixture at Kilmanahan drew another mammoth entry last weekend, confirming its status as one of the country’s biggest one-day event fixtures. The Kilkenny venue regularly draws in excess of 300 runners, so Sunday’s entry of 321horses spread across 18 classes was no problem for the organisers, who were efficiently ‘back in the clubhouse’ before 6.45pm.

To accommodate the farming practice, this year’s fixture took place a week later than usual, a turnaround that was according to organiser Colette Hughes extremely fortuitous.

“It was just so lucky that we were able to swap dates with Annaharvey,” she explained. “It was extremely wet on the run-up to last weekend, and we almost certainly wouldn’t have been able to run. It was not looking rosy for this week either, but luckily the weather came good and the ground has been super. I was also amazed at the size of the entry, as I thought we were just outside the final qualifying date for Tattersalls. I hadn’t anticipated it, and I don’t know where they all come from!”

Certainly riders could not have wished for a better warm-up for Tattersalls, and with the Kilkenny ditches easily rivalling those of Co Meath and the ground near to perfect, horses had the best of preparation. A new complex at the third fence gave the one-star runners something fresh to look at, and according to Hughes more changes will be introduced for the next fixture in September.

RED MILLS SUPERLEAGUE

A spate of incidents in the country changed the lower order in the feature Red Mills Superleague O/CNC** but they did not involve the winning partnership of Rebecca Dunlea and Cashelane Captain. Clocking up their third victory on the bounce, the duo are well on their way to claiming a title that has always been the seasonal aim.

Setting out with intent, Dunlea impressed dressage judge Patricia Creighton to score a personal best (19.6) before storming across the country and completing clear over the coloured poles.

“I certainly didn’t expect that mark,” said the Watergrasshill-based rider. “We have recently moved stables to be back at home, so we have been a bit disorganised. However, my sister Jen is back from America and having a pair of eyes on the ground this past week has really made a difference.”

Dunlea has opted to bypass Tattersalls in favour of next month’s international at Kilguilkey, but second-placed Fraser Duffy (Fernhill Revelation) has the Co Meath venue firmly in his sights.

After a leaderboard shake-up, Duffy improved his placing after every phase, finally added just a fraction of a time fault to his opening mark of 26.6. Also jumping clear, Michael O’Toole (Greenfort Endeavour) filled third, from George Russell with Rock Spirit.

The class saw plenty of action in the country. Second-placed Jodie O’Keefe (Kachmire Le Beau) dropped out of contention after clocking up 20 penalties at the Kilmanahan mound (3), while Kelley Hutchison (Ballyduff A-Z) lost her third spot after omitting a compulsory flag before the fourth. Denise O’Brien and Tommy B Good were also well placed and their safe emergence after a crashing fall at the upright wall (15) was greeted with much relief.

The drama continued in the following CNC** but it escaped Nicola Ennis, who produced the sole double clear round of the 20-strong class.

Riding the nine-year-old Briary Swan, Ennis filled second spot on the flat (26.6) and was promoted when leader Aidan Keogh (Pride Of Tredstep) added hefty time penalties to his opening score. Also benefiting, Sarah Wardell moved into second with the clean jumping Knockeven Harry, from Terence White and the attractive mare Owltown.

The cross-country action, which had been on hold while the officials were attending to O’Brien, resumed to further incident. Starting out cold, Aisling Carter fell at the subsequent Kilmanahan gate, while Ian Foster (Kashina K) crashed out of contention at the ‘Bar Counter’ complex two from home.

PENALTIES

The spooky ‘bow tie’ ditch fence caused penalties for the well placed Terence White and Garrybritt Tinkerbell, as it did for Cavamiro, who was retired under Louise Bloomer.

Normal service was resumed in the O/CNC* section which was convincingly headed by Camilla Speirs and Goldman. Runners-up in the CIC* at Ballindenisk recently and live contenders for the Cooley Farms CCIY* young horse class at Tattersalls next weekend, the pair won on their leading flat work score of 24.8.

“A perfect tune-up for Tatts,” summed up owner Sally Corscadden. “There were a couple of technical questions in the country, the show jumping track was very decent and it all ran over really good ground. Camilla was thrilled with him, so we’re very hopeful of a good run next week.”

Remaining largely in first phase order, Sadhbh McGrath produced a good performance to fill second with Bridgemans Cocoa Malt, from the Saumur-bound Sam Watson with Imperial Sky.

The Tattersalls young horse showcase is also the primary aim for the winners of the three CNC* sectors. Tullabeg Flamenco and Meabh Bolger were victims of a technical elimination at Ballindenisk earlier this month, but looking very classy they headed a strong opening section on their flat work mark of 26.5. Recording another of only six double clear rounds, Jane O’Flynn filled second spot with The Gadfly, from Michael O’Toole with Night And Light.

Sophie Richards and SRS Adventure landed the second division on their opening mark of 27.8 and head to Tattersalls with a seasonal fault free jumping record. The duo won last time out at Kilguilkey and, gaining the only sub-30 mark of the class, remained ahead of Tracy Walshe (Ballinaguilkey Cruise) as well as Emily Corbett riding Fernhill Crystal Clear.

“He’s a real pro at this stage,” said Richards of the Newmarket Venture six-year-old. “I was very pleased with him across the country, as we have been playing around with bits, and it worked well today.”

In the closing CNC* division, the highly-rated Brookpark Vikenti impressed to win under Michael Ryan. In third spot on the flat, the son of Master Imp drew ahead after recording one of just six double clear rounds, leaving Fraser Duffy (Sea Nationwide) and George Russell (Kundalini Rising), also foot-perfect, in second and third positions.

The show jumping was especially influential in this sector, demoting dressage leaders Emma Jackson (Cushlas Skyimp) and Michael McNally (Greenhall Ella).