MANY riders took the lengthy option at the water in the one-star sectors, but to come anywhere near the achieving the time, it was necessary to take the direct route. As a result of these efforts, nearly half of the 48 runners in the two divisions picked up jumping penalties, but in defence of the course designers, it was interesting to note that a pair of six-year-old took the winning honours. Training and balance were rewarded throughout, and creditably triumphing in both classes was Co Cork rider Felicity Ward.

Teaming up with James O’Callaghan’s home-bred Regal Bounty (Orestus) and Bob O’Keefe’s Shanagore Jenga (West Coast Cavalier), Ward’s approach was copybook. “People told me how much trouble it had caused, but I struck to guns to go straight,” she said. “I walked the line, and trusted my horses. They are both bold and brave, and were as straight as a die.”

Also impressing in the first group were the second-placed pairing of Sarah Ennis riding the former John Gosden-trained thoroughbred Alshmemi, as well as Emma Jackson with Silken Allure. Michael Ryan filled the runner-up spot in the second sector with the Chakiris-sired DOD Baltimore Harbour, from Rafael Sanctuary, who celebrated his birthday by riding RLE Spencers Dream (by Metropole).

The new 50-penalty rule, which was aired publicly at Badminton earlier last month, came into play when overall leaders Patrick Byrne and Anchorman were later deemed to have jumped the wrong side of the flag at the bogey skinny exiting the water. Ending his chances of making it a family double, the otherwise foot perfect Byrne slipped expensively down the order to complete in 15th place.

Isabel Persse and DBS Houdini have posted a consistent record without winning this season, so it was timely that they should head the CNCJ* on their dressage mark of 33.0. Lying midway on the flat, the duo produced one of just three double clear rounds to pip Rebecca Joyce riding the thoroughbred Hesacoolhand, as well Louise Kennedy and the eye catching Ginger.

Stephanie Stammschroer performed an outstanding test to lead the field with Master Swatch (22.3) but carrying 12 penalties from the show jumping slipped to fourth.

Moving on to the EI100 classes, it was good to see an almost clean sheet among the seven runners in the EI100P. Remaining in dressage order, Rachel Power-Wall won by a notable 12-point margin with the eight-year-old Majas Mobility, from Holly Love with Lucky For Some.

Also leading from the front, Eamon Morrissey maintained his unbeaten record to land the junior equivalent the Nigrasine-sired Red Winston, from Peter Dillon aboard Thistletown Nordic Clover.

Tracey Walsh has only been in her new job a few days but, wasting no time to impress, she won the first open sector with Nate Connolly’s All For Fun. The son of Ros Rebel, bred by Thomas McGann, led from flagfall (22.3) to hold off the challenge from Emily Corbett with her Kircubbin winner Killeshin Ferrous Diamond.

Both sectors were comparatively trouble free, and another youngster to win from the front was the second sector winner Monbeg Cartel (28.5) ridden by Esib Power. Sourced as a three-year-old and produced to sell, Power’s five-year-old son of Cobra was bred in Co Wexford by MJ Kavanagh out of the King Master-sired mare Kilpatrick Duchess. The Summerhill-based duo completed just in front of Amanda Goldsbury aboard Michael McNally’s Tyrella winner Hide N Seek.

Having enjoyed a great spin with Greenfort Endeavour in the feature class, Michael O’Toole took the EI90 aboard his own first time four-year-old Mushroom Murphy, while in the pony division it was Isabelle Nally who scored with the former RDS winning Connemara pony Benny Liath.