THERE were fewer runners in the under-age CNCJ* sector but impressing from the outset was Padraig Harrington and Tullabeg Vision. Posting an unbeatable dressage mark (32.0), they completed nearly seven marks ahead of Michelle O’Driscoll (Binrado) and Kate Lenehan with Rockmills. “He’s not all that fit yet,” said Rockwood student Harrington. “However, he really came home well and the ground is a credit to the organisers.”

Cillian Creedon picked up the only cross-country penalty, when he parted company with Shadow Indigo at the chicken coop (15).

Four penalties in the show jumping denied Harry Swan (Wilderwood Storm) back to back wins in the CNCP2* but it did benefit Heather O’Connor and Robin Hood’s Gentle Cloud. Landing his first win at the level, the veteran Connemara pony recorded a clean sheet to pip second-placed Swan as well as his sister Olivia (Rockon Pedro) in third. All six completed.

The form book got it absolutely right in the EI100 in which the 2017 ISH four-year-old league winners Michael McNally and John A won from the front. Dr Pat Wall’s traditionally-bred gelding completed on his dressage mark of 27.3, just ahead of the Daniel Alderson-ridden pair of Belline Warrenstown Cruz and Ballybolger Chloe. Named after his Co Sligo breeder John A Cogan, and sourced as a foal, the winning John A is a son of the Irish Draught stallion Baltydanial Silver Fox out of the well related Cruising mare Union Connaught Cruise. She is a half-sibling to the Sir Mark Todd-ridden NZB Grass Valley (CCI4*) as well as the British-based junior team horse Union Fortunas (Phoebe Locke). “He’s bred to do the job,” declared McNally. “The plan is to run him in the ISH five-year-old league, and then move up to one-star.”

Seven of the 22 starters met with problems in the country, and these were largely centred around water complex in the middle sector of the course.

Crecora-based Robert O’Brien enjoyed a great spin on home turf to head the EI90 aboard the Furnell family’s veteran campaigner Ballycahnae Percy. The 19-year-old gelding was chasing Clare Lambert (Viva Van de Coolsdreef) after dressage, but reversed placings when the Co Wexford rider picked up four penalties in the show jumping. O’Brien who is currently working for the Furnell family is kept busy breaking and producing youngsters, as well as in competition.

Also double clear, Amanda Goldsbury slotted into second with her first timer Arkan Babe, from Lambert who settled for third.

Just three went to post in the EI90P but only Luke Chaill and Major Sensation produced a double clear round. As a result, the duo headed the trio on a score of 32.0 from Luke Burke Ott (Valley View Sammy) and Cara Padden with Prince Puzzle. All three completed.