CLARE’S Philip McGuane showed consistent form at the Old Salem Summer September Show at North Salem, New York last week, which hosted four-star and two-star classes. The highlight of the show (and surely McGuane’s weekend) was the four-star $200,000 Blue Diamond Cup class, in which he secured a podium position and a share of the generous prize fund on board Paso Doble SCF.

There were 19 starters in the class, with only five managing to jump clear round Alan Wade’s (IRL) first-round course and just one competitor completing a double clear round. That deserving winner was Nicolette Hirt-Slade (USA) on Dalton van de Lindehoeve Z, who received $60,000 for her efforts. The remaining four in the jump-off picked up four faults each with McGuane’s time of 40.48 just shy of the 40.16 set by Jonathan McCrea (USA) on Chaccotilino PS, so the latter collected the $40,000 second prize and McGuane took home $30,000 for third.

Placings

Wednesday’s two-star $5,000 1.40m Eastern Hay class saw Conor O’Regan on Coccolino finish eighth and McGuane on Kiss Me FZ in 10th place from 30 starters.

McGuane finished on the podium in Thursday’s four-star $32,000 1.45m OSF two-phase class, when he placed third with Donvier. It was a USA one-two from Samantha Schaefer on James Bond HX and Brian Moggre on Johann FS Z respectively.

McGuane secured another top-10 placing in Friday’s four-star $65,000 JP Morgan Private Bank Welcome class, when he rode Paso Doble SCF into eighth place.

Meanwhile, in the day’s two-star $40,000 1.45m Old Salem Grand Prix, Daniel Kerins on Diacette placed seventh, followed by O’Regan on Coccolino in eighth.

On Saturday, the four-star $40,000 Great Oak Speed Stake class saw McGuane and Donvier finish in fifth place.