Sally Parkyn

MASSIVE entries saw the CNC* class divided into two sections, both of which ran under the banner of Knight Frank Estate Agents.

The opening division saw Edel Nolan’s home-bred Denis Finch Hatton (Patrick Whelan) land his first win under rules. A former One To Watch, the six-year-old son of Ghareeb shared third spot on the flat (29.0) before finally getting the nod over fellow former eye catcher Readstown Frankie (Gavin Smiddy). Dressage leaders Luke Drea and Rock Gift were hampered by four faults in the show jumping, but their good completion score of 31.8 still earned them third place.

In the second section, honours went to Richard Ames’ smart seven-year-old Ballinahinch Jack, partnered by stable jockey Felicity Ward. The Con Ryan-bred son of Jack Of Diamonds produced a stunning dressage mark of 20.3, to which he added just 2.8 for time.

“He’s the ultimate jumping machine,” enthused the Belline-based rider.

“We had a great spin. I found the line over the mound quite difficult, but the track was very educational, and the horses will have learned a lot.”

Chasing Ward throughout, Luke Drea’s day continued in good style when he filled both second and third with Brooklawn Gemstone and Gorsehill Horatio.

Moving on to the under age divisions, a competitive CNCJ* was headed by Padraig Harrington aboard Tullabeg Vision. Runners-up on their last two appearances, the duo made up ground in the country to forge ahead of second-placed Shannon Sherridan (Uisneagh Miss Douglas) and Isabel Persse (DBS Houdini).

Clocking up their fifth win of the current campaign, Ava Banahan and Rathlaneen Dark Secret scored a pillar to post victory in the CNCP**. The former European championship pony dominated the six-strong class, eventually leading second placed Megan Telford-Kelly and Fond Of A Drop by over 10 marks. The remaining four runners all incurred penalties in the country.

The time allowed was certainly easier to achieve around the EI100 track, and first out to gain the red rosette in the EI100P was Daniel Meagher and Buffalo Soldier. Unbeaten this season, the pair had filled second place on the flat before they finally pipped fellow consistent performers April O’Neill (Harper Seven). Also double clear, Louise Kennedy and the evergreen Prince Zola filled third, while first phase leader Katie McKee (Fair Lad) was unlucky to accrue 20 penalties in the country.

In the similarly competitive junior ranks, the top spot went to Simon Beattie and Ace Mr T. Aisling Carter’s six-year-old has yet to make a jumping error under rules, and as a result edged ahead of first phase leaders Luke Coen (Kereden Little Heather) who tipped a rail.

The two divisions of the Equine Warehouse EI100 proved highly competitive, with the first falling to Jane O’Flynn and Marco Q. The six-year-old by OBOS Quality completed on his winning opening score (25.5) from Felicity Ward with her three-time seasonal winner RCA Patron Saint.

PRESTIGE RETURN

The second sector also went in first phase order, as the honours fell to Tori Dixon with Prestige (26.5). Bought from the Smith brothers and previously evented by Steven Smith, the eight-year-old son of Condios was returning to the track this year after a gap of 18 months. Nicky Russell and the ultra-consistent thoroughbred On The Motorway (Ire) filled second (33.5), from Eddie Burrell with Old Boley Princess. There were a number of isolated cross-country errors in both sections, but a good balance and in general they did not dramatically affect the results.

The cross-country proved little more influential in the following EI 90 and dressage leaders and event first timers, Kate Solon (Kildalton Rare Gem) were unlucky to lose their advantage after walking home from the Castle Ramparts (5).

It’s an ill wind that blows no good though and benefiting were the eventual winners Caroline Lynch and Lisheenabrone Smoothstepper. Landing his third win of the season, the son of Akbar completed on 27.3, a distance ahead of Lindsay Graham with the smart Clooncalagy Knight (36.3).

Finally, and rounding off a memorable day, Jenny Kuehnle partnered Nicola Tottenham’s Brocca Done Thing to lead the two runners in the EI90J. The duo won on their opening score, while earlier in the day 14-year-old Kuehnle had taken part in her first senior CNC**. Having gained special permission to compete, she smoothly recorded a double clear round aboard Rafael Sanctuary’s Scattery Katie.