THE loss of an hours sleep may have had less impact on locally based Brian Morrison than the majority of those present, but the Global Sport Horse Ltd rider certainly looked very sharp when racking up a double in the two one-star classes.

Teaming up with consistent Milchem JJ, Morrison dominated the proceedings in the open sector to post a winning dressage score of 26.0 and produce one of only three show jumping clears.

The addition of 2.8 time penalties in the country reduced his advantage slightly, but his final score was still good enough to better Aidan Keogh with Pride of Tredstep, and young international rider Daniel Brown aboard Euro Jackpot.

Morrison was delighted with the Ralph Conroy-bred son of Fair Boy (by Fairman) for whom this was his fifth win in seven outings but only his first event run in over a year. “I originally rode him for Vinnie Duffy,” explained the rider. “He then went show jumping, but when we had the chance to buy him at the end of last year, we jumped at it.

“He’s a deceptive horse, and not an especially impressive stamp, but he does everything that is asked of him as we move up through the grades. It’s hard to say how far he will go, but I certainly think he’s a three-star horse – and I have to be excited by him.”

In second spot throughout, Aidan Keogh was hampered by four costly show jumping time faults but nevertheless will have been pleased with the daughter of Lord Noble, who was fast and accurate over the solid track. Brown was equally swift with Euro Jackpot, and while the 20-fence course rode without incident, Josephine Pollock opted to retire with the hard pulling Master Gold Touch.

SHOW TIME

Morrison’s second victory of the afternoon came aboard the one-star first timer Global Show Time. The eight-year-old son of Ulano opened on a winning flat work score of 27.3 to which he added a further 5.2 penalties for time. Sourced in England, where he had done a little bit of show jumping, the unbeaten Global Show Time has really adapted to his new career.

“He came out and won his pre-novice last season, but we have put a lot of work into him over the winter and it has really paid off,” Morrison said.

“He’s come out so much stronger this season, so the plan is to pick up his qualifications and run him in an international as soon as possible.”

Enjoying her first event on Irish soil, Xanthe Goldsack filled second spot riding Fernhill Silk Road (34.3) for Carol Gee.

The English rider is spending the season at Gee’s Kilkenny yard, and shaving seconds at every opportunity, was one of only four runners to complete within the time.

Morrison also slotted into third spot with the former Marie Symington and Mary Mangan ride, Galwaybay Mentor on 34.4.

All completed, but as the track kept both riders and horses thinking, three combinations clocked up isolated penalties.