THE Plusvital Premier Series kicked off last Sunday at Barnadown, with 44 of Ireland’s top combinations battling it out for the €15,000 on offer. Claiming victory was Rhys Williams aboard the Williams Sport Horses-owned Parc Cushy Number. This nine-year-old gelding was bred by Fionnuala Byrne and is by Quasimodo Vd Molendreef and out of the Ars Vivendi-sired dam, Quevega. This gelding has been produced by the Williams family, starting his career as a four-year-old with Coen.

Delighted with the win, Rhys said: “It was great to have this win. It was a big technical course, and he answered all the questions. We bought this horse as youngster, and we sold him as an eight-year-old. We bought him back at the back end of last year. We have been away jumping in Belgium, and he has proved very consistent and I was very happy with him.”

Regarding the course, he added: “I knew there were some fast combinations to follow, so I knew that a clear was not going to be enough. I did keep the pressure on, but didn’t take any unnecessary risks and thankfully it paid off.”

With the sun shining in Barnadown last weekend, spectators enjoyed top-class action, with 12 booking their place in the second round. First to go against the clock, Jonathan Smyth and the Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig-owned Mulvin Lui, had the difficult task as pathfinders. Smyth negotiated the first tall vertical, tight back to an oxer, followed by a dogleg from the oxer to a vertical. He rode a good turn back from the Plusvital oxer to the oxer at the clubhouse. Although he got a good shot to the following double, he faulted here at the first part and came home in 46.80 for eventual sixth.

Effortless

The first double clear came five horses later, as Rhys Williams and Parc Cushy Number made it look effortless as they crossed the line clear in 45.96.

Conor McMahon and Sea Shangai had a small slip after the vertical at fence four, but it didn’t distract them as they went on to answer all the questions in a time of 47.94 for provisional second. Owned by Ivycoast Farm, the 10-year-old is by Christian and out of the Top Of The World-sired dam, Top Class.

Next up, Mikey Pender and HHS Orchidee also had a slip after the vertical at four, but this pairing gathered themselves well. It was the first part of the double that caught them out, coming home with four faults in a time of 46.26 for fifth place. Bred by Miguel Bravo, the 10-year-old mare, is by Le Roi and out of the Luidam-sired dam HHS Tiffany.

Jack Ryan and Calgrafi Dwb looked up on target at the midway point and they left everything standing, but their time of 46.15 would only prove good enough for second. Owned by Northlawn Farm, the nine-year-old mare is by Bogegardens Grafs Stakkato and is out of Caleo.

Second last to go, European Champion Emily Moloney and Temple Alice delivered a clear in 49.50, which would see her finish behind McMahon in fourth. Temple Alice has been a loyal companion for Moloney, this gelding is by Foxglen Cruise Control and is out of the Rantis Diamond-sired dam, Innishannon Shamrock.