BERNARD JORDAN’S nine-year-old gelding Clonguish Vivaro (Vivaldo Van Het Costerveild – Tanaos) was ridden to the top spot in Saturday’s 1.40m National Grand Prix class by Jessica Burke.

A large field of 54 starters was soon whittled down to 10 for the timed decider and, of these, just six managed to keep a clean sheet through both rounds.

Burke proved fastest of the six when she stopped the clock at 35.51; over two and a half seconds faster than her closest rival, and the runner-up, Liam O’Meara.

The Tipperary man was riding another of Helen Sheridan’s string the 10-year-old gelding Curraighgruaige Jack Take Flight (Jacomar – Errigal Flight) whose time was 38.11.

Ballypatrick-based American rider Adrienne Dixon and Killossery Kaiden took third place in 39.07, while fourth went to former National Hunt jockey Paul Carberry riding Brandonview First Edition.

Liam O’Meara clearly had a plan for the weekend and left something in the tank for the next day’s New Heights class when he and his other mount Russel Style recorded a clear round in a cautious time of 42.16 to take fifth place.

Sixth place went to Cormac Rafferty and KMR Benzini in 44.60.

Mikey Pender took the highest Young Rider prize when he and Casanova Van Overis slotted into seventh place in a time of 35.31 and with four faults to add.

O’Meara currently leads the league with a commanding lead of 56 points with Mr Coolcaum. He also occupies second place with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight on 46, while Daryl Walker and Kiss N’ Fly are in third on 29.