THE penultimate round of the 1.50m Plusvital Grand Prix took centre stage on Sunday afternoon at the Tattersalls July Summer Show, with 41 combinations going to post in the €20,000 Underwriting Exchange and SJI-supported leg. Along with the substantial prize fund, there was also two places on offer for the international classes at next week’s Gallagher Dublin Horse Show for the top two combinations in the league.

Claiming the win was Athlone’s Francis Derwin and Parvati Aeg, which sees him top the leaderboard at this stage on 36 points and, therefore, take the first golden ticket to Dublin. A third-place finish for Jason Foley and Cute Face moved him up to second on the leaderboard (25 points) and sees him gain the second spot for the RDS.

Speaking afterwards, Derwin said: “Parvati jumped amazing and it’s great to win my first Premier - I’ve been a long time trying and I have had a few seconds and thirds, so it was great to finally get the win.

“It’s brilliant to also get to Dublin. My two horses are well up there now [on the leaderboard], so we will head to the final in Barnadown and hopefully we can do something there.

“I would like to thank my dad [Francis], who is my biggest supporter and helper and rides the horse too at home. I would like to also thank my grandmother, who doesn’t miss a show.”

Jason Foley was delighted to book his place in Dublin, commenting: “It was a very important day.

“I jumped the Grand Prix in Dublin last year with Cute Face, so the plan this year was to follow the series and try get that ticket into the main arena again. It’s very important for us to have the Plusvital Series to follow.

“Without this, it makes it hard for some of us home riders to get the chance to compete in Dublin.”

Competitive

Out of the original 37 starters, nine booked their place in the second round and seven delivered double clears. The class went down to the wire, with only split seconds dividing the places.

First to go, Timmy Brennan and Coblue Ps set the target of a clear in 38.17, which would later see him take fifth. Bred by Paul Schockemöhle, this 10-year-old gelding is by Cornet Obolensky out of the Chacco-Blue-sired dam Chacca Contouet.

Next up, Comdt Geoff Curran and Hawthorn Hill shaved almost a second off the target when delivering a clear in 37.09, which would see him finish one place ahead of Brennan. This 14-year-old Cardento gelding was bred by Jerry Quinn out of the Limmerick mare Tummery Limelight.

The target was reduced once again when Niamh McEvoy and Jargon Dn came home clear in 35.86 to take the lead. Owned by Ballypatrick Stables, the 12-year-old gelding is by Zirroco Blue Vdl, out of the Indoctro-sired Fair Lady.

On form after claiming the runner-up place in the Grand Prix the day before, Daisy McNamara and Caspetito Z answered all the questions in a time of 39.30 to take sixth place.

All eyes were on Francis Derwin, as he took it on with Parvati Aeg. Derwin made up pace from the start, with a good turn back from the double and jumped the next vertical at an angle before heading to the water tray at 11. A strong pace to the remaining two fences saw him clock 35.66 to take the win and, in the process, demoted McEvoy to second place.

The 11-year-old mare by Arezzo VDL, who is owned by Francis Snr, has demonstrated great scope at this level, claiming the runner-up place in the Premier Series in Cavan and third in the Grand Prix in Tattersalls the day before.

The next double clear came courtesy of Jason Foley and Cute Face, stopping the clock in 36.36, which would see him take third. Owned by Chedington Equestrian and Ellie Guy, Cute Face is a 12-year-old gelding by Christian 25. This combination took third in the round at Cavan and won the round at Mullingar.

Robert Splaine and Laranco delivered the last of the double clears in a time of 43.97 for seventh place.

Owned by Sandra Devine, this 10-year-old gelding is by Bustique out of the Garanco mare Aranca.