ARD Chuain in Co Sligo was the destination for the opening leg of popular Coolmore Stud Pony Premier last Sunday. As expected, all divisions were hotly contested as some of Ireland’s top combinations made the journey to get their campaign off to a strong start.
In the under 10 128cms division, 22 combinations went to post and of these five delivered treble clears. Leading the victory lap was Kian Dore and Mr Giggles, who crossed the line in 29.09. James Derwin and BallyknockMaster Roan were fractions behind in 32.09.
In third place were Ben Cassidy and Castlequarter Jack who clocked 33.94, ahead of Jamie Clarke and Pepsi Mac in 33.98. Tia Ruane was last of the double clears with Mister Boots in 33.94. Fastest of the four-faulters was Katie Nallon and Piggy Bank in 30.79.
The 128cms section saw 21 hopefuls go to post in the opening round. Leading the victory lap was the familiar combination of Katie McEntee and Kilcreene Apollo when they lodged the fastest round of the jump-off in 30.18 seconds.
Not content with the win, McEntee took the runner-up place with Star Spangled Banner when clear in 31.95. Coen Williams was fractions behind with Parc Giggles in 32.33 for third. Some careful riding from Ryan Ruane paid dividends as he was the last of the treble clears with Mickybo in 38.37 for eventual fourth place. The last two places in the line-up belonged to Tom Wachman when he was fastest of the four-faulters with Murphy Spartacus in 30.19. He suffered the same fate with Parc Epic, but in a slower time of 30.24 for sixth place.
Winner of the CWD pony Spring Tour, Francis Derwin maintained his good record as the took the win in the 138cms division. Riding Ruby Brown, he was almost six seconds ahead of his closest rival in 34.04 seconds. In second was Ryan Sweetnam riding Never Last Spartacus in 40.51. Rhys Williams keep everything in place with Dynamo D’euro in 41.20 for third and also took fourth with Sligo Lux to Queenie when he kept everything in place in 42.23.
Ellie Rose Conroy and Ballywire Mirah clocked 52.26 for fifth. Speed merchant Tom Wachman lodged a fast time of 38.33 aboard Fountain Ranger but a pole on the ground meant he had to contend with sixth.
NALLON DOMINATES
Returning from a successful trip at Fontainebleau, having clocked up a series of results and being named leading male rider, Ciaran Nallon again demonstrated his talent as he took all three places on the podium in the 148cms.
He was the only rider to maintain a clean sheet with all three ponies. He delivered his best result aboard Kate Wachman’s Rexter D’or, when crossing the line clear in 41.51 seconds. Riding Dibidoe, he got the next clear in 47.76 for second, and then lodged another clear with Sandra Duffy’s Florian 26 in 49.54 for third.
Orla Duffy proved that the time could be beaten when she clocked the fastest time of the jump-off in 49.54 with Boston Burglar, but it came at a price as she faulted once and had to contend with fourth.
Abbie Sweetnam also had an unlucky four faults with Dynamite Spartacus, but in a slower time in 45.29 for fifth. Emma McEntee completed the top six line-up when she crossed the line aboard Silver Scott in 48.99.