SOME 72 combinations went to post in Friday’s 1.30m -1.35m Boomerang.ie Welcome Stakes Table A - one of two Grand Prix qualifiers at the Millstreet Autumn Horse Show. One rider certainly on form of late is Cathal Daniels and he once again got off to a good start, when he clinched victory in this two-phase class.

Riding Sandra Duffy’s Annaghmore Beach Cruise, he lodged the fastest of 19 clears in 24.78 seconds. Annaghmore Beach Cruise is a 15-year-old gelding is by Beach Ball out of the Cruising-sired Annaghmore Sonieke. This pair won the Autumn Grand Prix at the end of September in Glenamaddy and finished fifth in the Derby in Cavan.

Daniels was chased home by young rider Daisy McNamara and Caspetito Z, who crossed the line in 25.53. Fellow young rider Katie Nallon and the Bob Sweeney-owned Carnlea Flamenco stopped the clock in 26.01 for third. Francis Connors secured fourth with the Martello Sporthorses-owned eight-year-old Martello Chapella, when they clocked 26.65.

There were more good results for the Duffy stables as Jake Hunter and Sirius Rogue slotted into fifth, coming home in 28.53. Rounding off the top six was Richard Hourigan and Killaloan Cobra Carel, when they were fractions behind in 28.71.

Gibbons secures win

Connaught was back in the ribbons on Saturday, when Claremorris’ Stephen Gibbons took the win in the Equine Warehouse Autumn Speed Stakes 1.30-1.35m Table A (GP Qualifier). Riding his mother Jane’s Ceide Candy Heart, he delivered a clear in 51 seconds. This eight-year-old gelding was bred by Mary Walsh and is by Garryduff Jar Of Hearts, out of the Sligo Candy Boy mare Ceide Heather Honey.

Gibbons’ closest rival was Liam O’Meara and Oaks Espionage, when they left everything in place in 51.69. Cathal Daniels returned to the line-up when taking third with Magnifique, just fractions behind in 51.78. Fourth place was filled by Katie Deane, after she piloted Paula Farrell’s seven-year-old Venerate to a clear in 52.14.

James Derwin’s clear with Amos LZ in 52.68 saw them secure fifth, ahead of Bill Maguire and his eight-year-old Fados Starry Night, clear in 54.26 for sixth place.