THE National Grand Prix returned to Flavours of Fingal last Sunday, with 11 combinations battling it out for the €4,000 in the Renault-sponsored 1.40m class. Taking the win was Meath rider, Niamh O’Connor Barry, when she was one of only two double clears with her own Drumiller Vegas in a time of 37.70 seconds. Bred by Paul Dillon, the 11-year-old gelding is by Cardento and is out of the Rockhill Clover-sired dam, Meabhs Clover.
Shane O’Reilly opted for some longer lines with Lancer Luck and it paid off, as he came home clear in 39.61. It was a good weekend for O’Reilly, as he had claimed victory in the 1.35m Grand Prix in Omagh the day before. Owned by Brian McConville and bred by Thomas Whelan, the 12-year-old gelding is by Castleforbes Lord Lancer and is out of the Coevers Diamond Boy-sired dam, Dalystown Lass.
John McEntee and For Kinmar Hero Z were fastest of the four-faulters from round one in 76.14 for third. Owned by Dermott Lennon and Gerry Marron, this 10-year-old stallion, which was bred by Marron and Luc Henry, is by For Pleasure and is out of the Aganix Du Seigneur-sired dam, Alana Hero Z.
Holly Lenahan and her home-bred, Khalinov also had one on the ground, but in a slower time of 76.17 for eventual fourth. The 12-year-old gelding is by Ustinov and is out of the Clover Flush-sired dam, Summerbridge Flush.
April McCrea and her own Princess Premier also finished on four faults in 78.16 for fifth. Bred by John Rooney, the 11-year-old mare is by Hold Up Premier and is out of the Ard VDL Douglas-sired dam, Princess Pearl. This combination has proved consistent in the 1.30m Fraser Homes Grand Prix Series.
Completing the top six was Patrick Hickey and WF River, after they crossed the line with four faults in 78.22. Owned by Patrick’s brother William and bred by Michael Whitaker, the seven-year-old mare is by Valentin R and is out of the Russel-sired dam, Brittney 11.
Top three
It was a good day for Lt Raphael Lee, as he took the top three placings in the 1.35m Karlswood Stables Leinster Summer Tour class.
Riding Kinmar Corr Dubh, he lodged the winning round of clear in 34.15, while on board Derrycush, he delivered another clear in 34.22 for second. He completed the hat-trick, when he was fractions behind with the seven-year-old, Fortside Lisbaun, delivering another clear in 34.25. Fourth place was filled by Tomas Fahy and Wanadoo, who also came home with nothing to add in 35.55. A clear from Hallie Crowe and Bouvier Belle in 36.14 put them in fifth. Completing the top six and taking the young rider prize was Anna White and GSA Oscar, when last of the double clears in 36.99.
Leading the victory lap in the Karlswood Stables 1.20m class was Caroline Gaston and Miss Roman Kora with a clear in 25.37. The runner-up place was filled by Danni Jennings and Super Star, clear in 25.94, ahead of John McEntee and Rabdan AEG, clear in 26.63. Slotting into fourth was Zaid Ali Raad and BE Flygold, with a clear in 26.78. This combination also shared the win in the 1.25m High Jump with John Murray and Bukhara Cruise.
Taking fifth and the leading young rider prize was Ciara Staunton and DNR Ice Crisp, clear in 27.16. Rounding off the top six was young rider Isabella Gogan and Petite Carman, clear in 27.51.
Winner of the 1.10m section of the Karlswood Stables Leinster Tour was amateur rider, Lisa Doyle (AA) and Ballinaguilkey Dignified, when fastest of seven double clears in 32.59. Danni Jennings and Super Star took second when they clocked 32.77.
Amateur rider Linda Gillespie (AA) took third with her own Archibald, when they stopped the clock in 32.92, ahead of John McEntee and the six-year-old Lolita 273 in a time of 39.63.
Oliver Penfold took the next two placings. Riding the five-year-old, KMR Lockdown, a clear in a time of 41.80 saw him take fifth and a clear with Homefarms Lady Galloway in 41.95 was enough for sixth place.