ON Saturday, a big field of 81 combinations lined out in a bid to take the winner’s share of the €4,000 on offer in the Cooley Farm National Grand Prix at Barnadown. Of those starters, 19 delivered clears in what was a one-round speed class. Claiming this victory was Munster’s young rider, Kian Dore aboard the eight-year-old WHS King Lincoln, when they delivered a clear in 61.53 seconds.

Speaking after the win, Dore said: “I am delighted with the win, the horse jumped super today. He was ninth to go and he led for a long time. My plan was to be tight and as nimble as I could be, but without going too fast and that paid off. I got him as a six-year-old from his breeder Michael O’Sullivan, who also owns him. He is really coming into himself now. He went to Lanaken last year as a seven-year-old and he gained a lot from that. He will go to Balmoral now, where he will jump his first 1.45m of the year.”

Bred by his owner, Michael O’Sullivan, the 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 second place in the 1.40m Grand Prix in Millstreet and a win in the Spring Tour in Banner. In 2025, they claimed a win in the 1.40m Grand Prix in Garranemore in October and, before this, took fifth in the Premier Performance Grand Prix in Hollypark.

Consistent

Lt Ruari Clarke and Bonmahon Beach was fractions behind, keeping all the poles in place in a time of 61.90. Owned by the Minister of Defence and bred by Richard Fitzgerald, the 11-year-old gelding is by Emerald Van Ruytershof and is out of the Temple Clover-sired dam Bonmahon Tanya. This gelding was previously owned by Olivia Roycroft, who competed him in the age classes. They have been consistently placed at this level, taking second place in the TRM Spring Tour in Tipperary and in Kernan’s.

Connaught young rider Paddy Reape and Mr Rocky Blue galloped home in 62.94 to take third. This combination was part of the Irish team that recently claimed gold in Compiègne Young Rider Nations Cup.

Dermott Lennon opted for longer lines with Kinmar Right On Time, but still posted a quick time of 65.16 for fourth place. Owned by Lennon and the gelding’s breeder, Gerrard Marron, the nine-year-old is by Aganix Di Seigneur and is out of the Unk-sired dam, Kinmar Dancing Queen.

Emma Dwyer accounted for fifth aboard her own nine-year-old mare Rubetski, when she crossed the line in 66.97. This pairing had delivered a double clear the day before in the 1.35m Karlswood Leinster Tour.

Robert Splaine followed closely behind with Coolcorron Lachlan, coming home in 66.98 for sixth place. Owned by Splaine and Story Horse Farm and bred by John O’Sullivan, the 10-year-old gelding is by Goodluck VDL and is out of Dicksgrove Colleen.

1.30m

The 1.30m John Bass Tyres class on Saturday was claimed by Alannah O’Donoghue and Fairy Fort, when they were fastest of the 43 clears in a time of 65.50. Elliott Reeves and Gorsehill Ruby took second when they clocked 66.24. Reeves was chased home by Jim Donohoe and Culdearg Clover Lad, when they came home in 66.40, while in fourth was Lt Michaeli Byrne and the seven-year-old LVS Galtee in a time of 66.48. Fifth place was filled by Darragh Ryan and Currency in 67.37, while in sixth was Patrick Whelan and Chilena Blue PS in a time of 70.21.