JOHN FLOODY and Ballyknock Diamond left their Grand Prix victory in no doubt at Killossery last Sunday when they secured the win by a massive margin of almost four seconds.

As sixth to go in the 10-strong jump-off, the local Meath-man confidently guided Francis Hughes’ nine-year-old gelding to a seemingly effortless clear round in a very fast time of 33.25 to take the win.

“We are delighted with the win here today. It’s always nice to do well on home-turf and I’m very happy with how he (Ballyknock Diamond) is going.

“The only down side to today is that his owner Francis Hughes couldn’t be here to see him take the win; he is at a family christening and I know he will be sorry not to have seen it.

“He’s a big horse, almost 18hh, but despite this, he is still very nimble. He is careful and consistent and has progressed through the grades exactly as you would want him to.

“He has a good number of successes in recent years, including winning the prestigious Hankook six and seven-year-olds final in Cavan, so we feel that this year it is time to move him up to a new challenge and we hope to be aiming him at the 1.50 metre classes this summer,” said Floody after the class.

A total of 31 lined out for the fourth round of the 1.35 metre league which was sponsored by the Larkin Brothers. Just 10 managed to remain fault-free to progress to the timed jump-off.

Pathfinder was Tholm Keane and Future Storm (Future Trend – Cruising). They began well and were on track for a decent result when the final right-hand angle into the last fence was a little off; their time of 34.14 would have been good enough for the runner-up spot but, with the four faults to add, they finished out of the places on this occasion.

Talented youngster Jennifer Kuehnle and a recent addition to her string, Richard Bourns’ Dutch-bred gelding Dento (Cartano – Investment), were second to go. They produced a nice clear but in a cautious time of 44.51 for eventual fifth place.

Kuehnle was named the Leading Young Rider of the class; the pair were also awarded the Best Turned Out prize.

Shannon Mackenzie and Dyolita (Veron – Ahorn) saw their hopes fade early on with the fall of the first fence; they finished in a time of 42.56 but with four to add for eventual eighth place.

Christopher Connell and the Irish-bred mare BVS Echo Island (Clover Echo – Duca Di Busted) were unlucky to have two fences; the second part of the double and the sixth down to collect eight faults.

Winner of the first round at JAG Equestrian and the second round at Cavan, Galway’s Sven Hadley was next to go riding the German-bred mare Why Not Fado (Cardenio – Darco). They left all the fences up but in a fairly slow 41.71 which would put them into eventual fourth place.

Floody was next to go. A precise, concise round aboard the experienced Ballyknock Diamond saw the pair produce a foot-perfect clear in a time of 33.25 to head proceedings.

DOYLE CLOSE

Edward Doyle and Derryinver Luxury Cruise then matched Floody’s clear as the next to go but broke the finish beam almost four seconds slower in 37.33 to secure the runner-up spot.

The Hurricane, ridden by Jonathan Andrew, then incurred eight faults at number three and the double to see them out of the running.

Wesley Ryan was the penultimate rider in aboard Bernhard. They fell foul of number two and finished with four faults to add.

Last in was Derek McConnell riding Srilanka Gotham Lad. They left all the fences up in a slightly cautious time of 40.48 to slot them into third place in the final line out.

The next two rounds of the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring League take place tomorrow (Sunday) in Portmore and Ballinamona Equestrian Centres.

With 10 rounds to go, Sven Hadley currently tops the league leader board with 26 points. Closest to him is Shannon MacKenzie on 16 points.