ON Saturday, Banner Equestrian played host to a round of the TRM Spring Tour, and again a young rider shone through as Munster youth Kian Dore claimed victory. Riding Whs King Lincoln, he lodged the fastest clear in a time of 36.84 seconds. Dore, who has just returned from spending three months with Richard Vogel, was certainly up for a challenge.

“It was great to have the win here today, and I am especially happy for his owner Michael,” said Dore. “I went towards the end of the jump-off, and I got to see a few going. I think I made up the time in the turn back to the second last. It was a technical course and there were some very fast combinations, so I knew I just had to go for it. The horse has a lot of talent, and he is one for the future. I had him in Lanaken last year and he has delivered some very good results.”

Bred by his owner, Michael O’Sullivan, the eight-year-old gelding is by Mr Lincoln B and is out of the Lux Z-sired dam, Wineport Angel. This combination has demonstrated good form of late, taking the win in the 1.40m Grand Prix in Garranemore in October, and before this took fifth in the Premier Performance Grand Prix in Hollypark. They have also been very consistent in the Munster Grands Prix.

Nine double clears

A total of 27 went to post and, from those, 13 booked their places in the timed round and nine double clears were delivered.

It was well worth the trip for Tipperary rider Liam O’Meara, as he accounted for second and third. He delivered his best result with Sir Jim Jim, when he came home with nothing to add in a time of 37.33. This 11-year-old stallion is by Boherdale Clover out of the Errigal Flight-sired dam, Glenaguile Flight, and the combination finished second in the 1.40m Grand Prix in Garranemore. They have proved very successful at regional Grand Prix level.

He also accounted for third place, when he kept all the poles in place with Cevann, in a time of 37.85. Owned by O’Meara, the 12-year-old gelding is by Cevin Z out of the Kannan-sired dam, Bellini. Cevin Z has a consistent record and among his good placings with O’ Meara is third in the national Grand Prix in Hollypark last year, along with placings in the Munster Grands Prix.

Less than a second behind was Lee Carey, when he partnered the Sandra Duffy-owned Annaghmore Beach Cruise to a clear in 38.79. This 15-year-old gelding is by Beach Ball and out of the Cruising-sired dam, Annaghmore Sonieke. Last December, the pairing took fifth in the Cavan Grand Prix show, along with winning the 1.35m Grand Prix at the same venue.

A familiar face in the Spring Tour line-up, Sven Hadley featured for another week, this time taking fifth with Phenomene Bleu VDM in 40.80. This Diamant de Semilly-sired stallion has also proved very consistent for Hadley and has recorded results up to Grand Prix level. In this league, they took sixth place in the round in Wexford.

Completing the top six was Robyn Moran and Limestone Harley Time, when clear in 40.90.

Robert Splaine and Coolcorron Lachlan made no mistakes and came home in 46.16 for seventh, ahead of Jack Geaney and the eight-year-old CS Lux Chacco, clear in 42.89. Last of the double clears came from Diarmuid Killeen and Clooncalagy Legend, in a time of 44.08.

Moran takes the win

Robyn Moran took the win in the 1.20m class incorporating the Hibernia Sport Horse qualifier, when she was the fastest of nine double clears with Limestone Harley Time in a time of 27.59. Sven Hadley added to his winnings, when he delivered a clear aboard Maximum Numero Too HSH in a time of 29.28. Jake Hunter accounted for third place with Magnifique, in 31.96. Slotting into fourth place was Aoife McCabe and the seven- year-old CBI Supremacy, clear in 32.38, while in fifth was Anthony O’Reagan and the Jackie Moloney-owned Chad. Jack Geaney added to his tally, also taking sixth place with Chapeary V, clear in 34.66.

Connaught rider Mark Neilan led the victory lap for the 1.10m, also incorporating the Hibernia Sport Horses qualifier, when he partnered Aoileann Nic An Iomaire’s eight-year-old New Haven Star to a clear in 23.41. Olivia Shanahan and Cooleyhill Bonzo C, left nothing to spare, delivering a clear in 23.66 for second. Sven Hadley added to his takings, claiming third with the six-year-old Hibernia Horses-owned Chipmunk BC Z, clear in 25.18. Aoife McCabe was back in the line-up, taking fourth with her own seven-year-old CBI Supremacy, clear in 25.27, while in fifth was Dominic Curley and D’Extase Dh Z, clear in 25.59. Kian Dore competed this line-up, slotting into sixth with the five-year-old SS Gloden Glow, clear in 29.97.

Kian Dore got his day off to a good start as he also took the honours in the 1m class, incorporating the five-year-old Hibernia Sport Horses qualifier. Riding Adam Ferris’ six-year-old Newmarket Pretty Lady, he delivered a double clear in 24.15. Junior rider Victoria Darcy was fractions behind, delivering a clear in 24.66 with Shannon Riot. Fellow junior rider Zoe Quinn and Slieve Callan Captain, took third, with a clear in 29.38, while Dore took another place in the line-up, slotting into fourth with the five-year-old Aoc Vivant Clorisa, clear in 30.01. Fifth place belonged to amateur rider, Edel Kelly (A) and Agustina, clear in 30.36, ahead of Morgan Carty and the five-year-old Vicarstown Kahlo, clear in 30.67.