Another classy Stroke of Genius from Kelly

POSTING her second win of the current campaign from just two runs, the new season partnership of Alannah Kelly and the classy Stroke of Genius landed the spoils in the EI 110 (Open) on Sunday.

Recording a double clear round, the duo led the seven starters from the front, from Christine O’Donnell aboard her former young rider team horse Blessington Prince Royal, and in dressage order Patrick Whelan riding Denis Finch Hatton slotted into third.

Co Kildare-based Alex Power is a busy man, who successfully combines his studies, with pinhooking thoroughbreds and eventing. A former junior European squad member, he now has just two event horses on the go, so he was especially pleased to land a competitive EI110 class with his own Tradewinds Alfredo.

Bred by Patrick Byrne and sourced from Goresbridge as a youngster, the traditionally bred eight-year-old produced one of five double clear rounds, to narrowly head Patrick Whelan aboard Henry Phipps’s ex show horse Rehy Royal Occasion, and Sadhbh Bolger who has struck up a great partnership with her mother Margaret’s Into Mischief.

The event concluded with two well filled sections of EI100, the first of which was claimed by Michael McNally who, deputising for the injured Gavin Smiddy, rode DHS Showtime. A seasonal debutant, he was well-placed in second spot on the flat, and moved up the order when Jonathan Steele (Loughehoe Scarlet Fever) retired.

Steel did better to fill third spot with R Kidd, while another to catch the eye was the second placed Christopher Whyte riding the Puissance-sired mare Lady Craft.

Keith John Fitzpatrick, who has returned to eventing this season after a year’s absence, won the final division with the 10-year-old Just A Wish. Leaders after dressage, they delivered a double-clear round to head Joseph Murphy with My Foxhall Kit, and in dressage order Conor Coomey (Baskin Kulu).