WITH the time proving significant once again, it was dressage leaders Fraser Duffy and Fernhill Silk Road who galloped away with the CNC2*. In this, their first run at the level, the Co Kilkenny duo opened and completed on 25.5 to head Daragh Byrne, who delivered the remaining double clear with Ambassador (27.1). Now an eight-year-old, Carol Gee’s winning son of Guidam is out of a thoroughbred mare, and covered the ground with ease. “That was a big attraction when buying him,” said Gee, who now hopes to complete the season with another run at the level in order to pick up the international qualification.

As the only other runner to return within the time, Byrne and Daniel Meagher’s Ambassador, completed a full 10 marks ahead of third-placed Patrick Byrne and Anchorman.

Having landed two good placings in the CNC2*, Michael Ryan’s day got even better when he headed the O/CNC* with Tom and Carol Henry’s TR Kaygraff.

International winners at Camphire back in July, but losing out on the double at Ballindenisk two weeks ago, the seven-year-old returned to form to narrowly hold the advantage over Maria Byrne (BGS Willpower) and Romy Bolger with Rising Storm. Dressage leaders Cathal Daniels and the diminutive Feagh Delamain slipped down the order after show jumping, but all seven completed the cross-country without incident.

Le Lion d’Angers selection form held up well when the championship-bound Suzanne Hagen and OBOS Take That posted a convincing win in the CNC*. The former Emma Jackson ride led from the outset and, delivering a classy performance, the well-related six-year-old bettered the two CNC1* debutantes Sligo Candy Royal (Fraser Duffy) and Mr Fire Fly (Sarah Ennis). The winner, bred by Marie O’Brien in Co Cork, is out of the prolific broodmare OBOS Nancy Broone and a full-brother to the good two-star campaigner and former RDS winner OBOS Impressive.

Although not travelling to the French showcase, but nominated as first reserve, Jane O’Flynn and Merrywell Tradition stamped their authority on the second section. Pulling up from fourth place (27.0), O’Flynn turned the tables on first phase leaders Lee Maher and TM Irelands Kingdom, while Dave Collins and Rupert Diamond held onto third. Owned by Dick McEelligott and bred by Brian Geraghty, the traditionally bred winner is by Kings Master out of the thoroughbred dam Merrywell Bonnie, by Torus. “I love the fact that he’s Irish, and his brain is as good as you could wish for,” said O’Flynn, who now plans to travel to Bicton for the CCI1*. O’Flynn’s path to victory was eased not only by Maher’s single error in the show jumping, but also by Fraser Duffy’s glance off at the penultimate. Ultimately the sole cross-country fault of the class, the previously well-placed Fernhill Candy Crush was otherwise fault-free, but expensively slipped to 19th spot.