The first win was of particular delight to Marilyn Bane, owner/rider of The Grey Rebel, a seven-year-old Gleneven Rebel gelding, as she was leaving Ireland during the week to move to Northamptonshire where her partner, Jason O’Donnell, has just taken up the position of whip to the Grafton.

Claire Maher was even more pleased with her victory in the well-filled Ward Union Hunt novice class on her eight-year-old skewbald Miss Chief. The Co Laois rider had contemplated selling her mare but that idea was put on hold after Saturday’s win.

The Ward also sponsored the restricted open won by the busy Lesley Webb on partner Richard Iggulden’s OCS Double Vivision. The five-year-old bay gelding is by the Irish Draught stallion Classic Vision.

The first few classes were judged by Sophia Scott (ride) and Ann Hood (conformation) who were replaced after lunch by Dawn Gooch and David Kellow. They judged the open which was won by Antonia de Burgh and her five-year-old Cobra gelding Gypsy Cobra Cruis who is out of a Cruising mare.

SHAMELESS

In finishing second, Sarah Moore and her eight-year-old Porsch gelding Shameless showed themselves on form prior to defending their Dublin working hunter title.

Judy MacMahon judged the newly-introduced sport horse section which wasn’t well supported but those who competed thought it a welcome addition to the working hunter section.

They were a bit surprised to find themselves jumping more fences than advertised.

MacMahon’s champion was the four-year-old winner, Lady Guinevere Elm, who had competed in the Future Event Horse League.

The grey mare by Lancelot, who was bred in Limerick by Joanne Murphy Hanley out of an Aldatus Z mare, was ridden by Daisy Duggan for the absent Madeleine McMahon.

Reserve was Knightsfield Stud’s Guidam mare Kilbeggan K, winner of the five-year-old class under Antonia de Burgh.

Grainne Bennett partnered her own Caricello gelding Karma K to claim the six-year-old section.

All Torque, who finished second in the five-year-old class under Christopher Scott, won Saturday’s Blue Chip sport horse flat class where he was ridden by Philippa Scott.

Owned and bred by Sue and Jonathan Hanaghan, the bay gelding is by Ricardo Z out of a Supreme Chance mare.