LAST Sunday, the National Grand Prix at Charleville Agricultural Show saw 16 combinations battle it out for the €4,000, kindly sponsored by Dick’s Supervalu. The class was dominated by Munster riders, with Francis Connors and Carrigshawn Vendi Royal claiming the win with a clear in 35.66 seconds in a six-way jump-off.

Carrigshawn Vendi Royal is owned by Francis, Jenny and Kate Connors, the 11-year-old mare was bred by John Warner and is by Dondoctro Ryal K and is out of Carrigshawn Vendi. This pairing recently took the runner-up spot in the Wexford Grand Prix and sixth in the Plusvital Grand Prix in Cavan.

Kian Dore took the next two placings, taking the runner-up spot with the seven-year-old Tyfoon Donkhoeve, when clear in 37.19. This pairing finished third in the Dublin Horse Show seven and eight-year-old qualifier at Barnadown. The Belgian-bred stallion is by Cazan Van Het Schaeck Z and is out of the Jamal Vd Heffinck-sired dam, Perle Vd Donkhoeve.

Dore also took third with Helssinki, when they left all the poles in place in 38.59. This French-bred gelding is by Calvaro Z and is out of the Windows vh Costersveld-sired dam, Bambina Jap.

Francis Connors returned to the line-up, claiming fourth place with Newmarket Darsouilles, with a clear in 39.77. Owned and bred by Billy Daly, the eight-year-old gelding is by Vigo D’Arsouilles and is out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam, Newmarket Clare.

Gemma Phelan and the seven-year-old Lance Corporal took fifth, coming home with nothing to add in 41.27. Bred by Louise Thompson and owned by Beechfield Stables Ltd and Kellistown Stud, this gelding is by Corporal VDL and out of the Jai Ho-sired dam, LV-Firefly. This combination recently finished fourth in the National Grand Prix in Wexford.

Joint winner of the Grand Prix in Ballivor, Liam O’Meara added to his tally, as he took sixth place with Big Dan Du Rouet, when they finished on eight faults in 44.28. Bred by Michael Ryan, the 11-year-old gelding is by Querlybet Hero and is out of the Harlequin Du Carel-sired dam Glenaguile Rose.

Robyn Moran, winner of the 1.35m Connollys Red Mills Grand Prix at Charleville Show on Brian O’Malley's Clever Quay, pictured with Marie Wheeler, Evelyn Collins and Ian Doyle \ William Casey

Clever win

On Saturday, the Connolly’s Red Mills/ Munster Region 1.35m Grand Prix, including the eight-year-old league, saw 22 go to post and landing this win was Robyn Moran and Clever Quay, when they left all the poles standing in 37.77 seconds. Francis Connors took the runner-up place with the eight-year-old Martello Chapella, when they maintained a clean sheet in 38.88.

Accounting for third place was Kian Dore and Tyfoon Donkhoeve, when clear in 39.78. Brendan Ryan opted for the safe lines with the Claire Morris-owned Kilnamac Jacqueline and delivered a clear in 44.53 for eventual fourth. Richard Hourigan and Killaloan Cobra Carel slotted into fifth, when they came home with nothing to add in 47.50, while in sixth was Sean Dooley and Indie Girl, clear in 48.67.

Phelan fine form

Gemma Phelan took the win in the 1.25m class, when she delivered a double clear with My Private Dancer in a time of 33.77 seconds. The Waterford rider took four of the top six placings. Amateur rider William O’Brien and Kilnamac Dougal was just over a second behind in 33.96 for second place. Phelan dominated the class, returning to take third with Baden Powell’s Curraghgraigue Tyson with a clear in 34.58 and fourth with Mentolado, clear in 35.40. A clear in 35.96 aboard Greenacres Cicero saw her also take fifth place. Robyn Moran and Limestone Crosstown Bouncer completed the top six line-up, with a clear in 36.89 seconds.

It was certainly Gemma Phelan’s day, as she also took the top three places and also fifth in the 1.15m class. Riding My Private Dancer, she lodged the winning round of clear in 33.93. She went on to take the runner-up place with Curraghgraigue Tyson, clear in 35.62, and third with Rossmount Paddy Quirke, clear in 39.68. Mark Doyle separated Phelan’s placings, taking fourth with Kazan Hero & DB Z, when clear in 39.71, a mere hundredth of a second ahead of Phelan in fifth on Yellowrock Blue Emerald, with a clear in 39.72. Oliver Penfold and Homefarms Lady Galloway completed the line-up, when he came home clear in 39.92.