ON Thursday afternoon, the Clipmyhorse.TV 1.40m class saw another win for Max Foley and Illusion de Hus. This incredibly nimble mare scored a maximum of 65 in a time of 45.71 seconds. After his win in the TRM Spring Tour final, Foley said that he had high hopes for this mare going to Balmoral, as she had plenty of scope and was extremely nimble. He had praised Robyn McOwan, who keeps the mare fit and happy during the week.

There was a strong field going to post, with 13 of the 27 starters recording the maximum score of 65. First to go, Sean Monaghan and Chef of Flanders Fields Z set the target of 48.09 seconds. Joe Fernyhough and Calcourt Countdown came home in 48.61 for third and were chased home by fellow English rider James Smith and Juno Rose 23, who stopped the clock in 48.85. Fifth place belonged to Kilkenny rider, Jack Ryan and Balou Betti 65 in a time of 51.51, ahead of Dermott Lennon and Lord of the Rings BMH in 52.18 in sixth place.

Connolly’s Redmills 1.40m two-phase special

It was another good day for the Foley family, as Jason took the win in the Connolly’s Redmills International Spectacular 1.40m Two-Phase Special on Thursday. Foley, who had only returned from the CSI03* in Lier, beat off the challenge of 27 others. Using his last to go advantage, Foley, who was riding Guy Bloodstock’s 12-year-old mare Origi van de Bandam, was fastest of 14 clears in a time of 34.65. This mare was campaigned on the Irish circuit at the start of the year under the command of Eoghan Fahy and took the win in the Spring Tour in Killossery and in Cavan and was fifth in the round at Wexford. Alexander McLean claimed another place for England, as he put in a blistering round with Orville Vd Watermolen, almost catching Foley, clocking 34.90. Francis Connors was almost two seconds slower with Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, coming home in 36.68 for third place. Rachel Proudley returned to the line-up, when she kept all the poles in place with French Connection, coming home in 37.06 for eventual fourth. Returning from international duty in Lier, and before that Shanghai, Niamh McEvoy featured in this line-up, taking fifth with the eight-year-old stallion, Boleybawn Alvaro. First to go, she set the time to beat of 37.09. Joe Fernyhough and Calcourt Supersonic followed closely behind, clocking 37.57 for sixth.