IF there had been any suggestion that Michael McNally and Eclipto’s CCI4*-L victory at Ballindenisk had been a fluke, it was firmly quashed on Sunday night when the Co Meath pair headed a top-class field in the CCI4-S.

In second spot after dressage on 25.1, but taking the lead on the subsequent retirement of the Luhmuhlen-bound Ascona (Tim Price), McNally delivered a stunning performance to win by a comfortable margin of seven marks.

The addition of 3.2 time penalties in the show jumping made no difference to the outcome, while making up further ground, Eclipto (by Cavalier Carnival) was the sole runner of the 28 staters to complete Saturday’s cross-country test within the time.

“He’s cemented the fact that he’s an upper-class horse in all three phases,” commented a thrilled McNally. “He never ceases to surprise me, and while the going was demanding enough in the country, he just found another gear.”

The pair cruised around the track without incident, and although they did have one awkward jump at the Bit Media log pile (10) preceding the fort, McNally was never worried. “The athlete that he is, he never touched it. He always knows where his feet are.”

McNally, like several other Irish riders has abandoned plans to travel to Luhmühlen, leaving just Mike Ryan and Cathal Daniels to make the trip. “I didn’t want to do that long sea journey and travel through France,” he explained. Some riders will now reroute to Bicton next weekend, but McNally who is yet to be listed for a squad, is happy for the moment to remain on home turf.

The winners were in the best of company, as filling both second and third spots was the Kiwi powerhouse Jonelle Price. Double-handed with the German-bred McClaren and the British-bred Fairie Dianimo, Price was surprisingly mid-way following dressage, but in her own inimitable style made headway in the jumping sectors. Dianimo was somewhat stuffy setting out in the country, but after a reminder really motored home.

“She was also a little b…… in the dressage because she wouldn’t walk at all,” remarked Jonelle. “That was a bit disappointing, but she’s a product of rather quick production and she’s improving all the time.”

McClaren meanwhile, who was partnered at the 2018 World Equestrian Games by Sir Mark Todd and will run at Luhmühlen, continues to please under Jonelle, and was described by her husband Tim as “having all the framework of an Olympic horse”. Juggling both horses and lorries at Millstreet, the globe-trotting couple are now bound for the German showcase, where they will have runners in both the long and short format four-star classes.

Cathal Daniels, who by his own high standards is having a slightly low-key season, landed a good fourth place with Jo Breheny’s Luhmühlen-bound LEB Lias Jewel. The resulting recipient of the George Mernagh Memorial Trophy (previously presented at Tattersalls), Daniels was clear in both jumping phases, to complete fractionally in front of Joseph Murphy (Gorsehill Pearl) and Sam Watson (Tullabeg Flamenco) both of whom shared a score of 41.4.

Clustering well, fellow Olympic-listed Sarah Ennis and Woodcourt Garrison, who had been placed a very creditable fourth on the flat, enjoyed a smooth run to fill seventh, from Jonelle Price again aboard the Irish import Kilbunny Andy.

Several fancied contenders withdrew after dressage, but featuring among the other good Irish runs were the up-and coming Ballybolger Talisman (Sam Watson), as well as Louise Bloomer and the clean jumping Shannondale Icarus.

Of those who slipped down the order, Tim Price and the veteran Burghley winner Ringwood Sky Boy lost their overnight third spot, but will nevertheless have been delighted with their butter smooth, steady run which was in preparation for Luhmühlen.