LCC King Jullian delivers for Duffy

THERE was far more incident in the EI 115 restricted at Crecora last Sunday, in which many of the early leaders fell by the wayside. Going right to the wire, the final result favoured Fraser Duffy and LCC King Jullian, who completed on their opening mark of 29.8.

Owned by Carol Gee, and sourced from his original producer Daisy Duggan after Le Lion d’Angers last autumn, LCC Jullian is by Clinton and, bred by Father Simon Cadam, is out of LCC Molly by Courage. “He’s an absolute gent,” said Duffy. “He’s so easy. You just have to keep your foot down and keep galloping. He makes the decisions very easy as he’s so adjustable.

“If Blenheim runs in the autumn, I would love to think that the young horse class there could be a possibility.”

Less than a mark adrift and also double clear, Edie Murray-Hayden piloted the diminutive Connemara cross Sandyhill Ceol into second spot, from Paul Donovan aboard Enniscrone Rollar Boy.

While there were plenty of cross-country clears, several of those in contention racked up penalties. Having picked up a notable first phase advantage, Steven Smith (Newferry Jagermeister) slipped down the order after the show jumping, while Adam Haugh had a day to forget.

He parted company with his level first timer (and dual seasonal winner) Denali at the Vicarage V type trakehner (6) while fellow debutant Carsonstown Cruise took a dislike to the complex of corners (9 and 10). With three horses running, Fraser Duffy also endured mixed fortunes but was unconcerned at the isolated penalties he picked up with his otherwise pleasing intermediate first timers Designer Fernhill and Donogue Good Lux Bob.

The long journey home to Co Wicklow will have seemed a short one for Eva Melly who clocked up a rewarding one/two in the open sector of the EI 110.

Riding her former young rider partner Annaghmore Ardeo Beach, Melly led from the front, to record the sole double clear round and complete six marks ahead of her second ride, Wolf Vegas. Due to Covid, neither horse evented last year. The winner enjoyed a successful season show jumping, and has recently become the dam (by embryo transfer) of a colt foal by Diarado. Both horses, who were sourced through Melanie Wrynn, will now head for Millstreet. Some distance in third spot was Karen MacGrath (Helluvaguy).