JOHN FLOODY rode Marie Quigley’s Castleroche Rebel to the top-spot in the Irish Horse Board seven-year-old championships in Cavan on Sunday.
A total of 11 combinations earned a place in the timed decider. The first two to attempt the jump-off track, Gareth Clingan (Della Lux) and Shane Goggins (Carrow Kavanann), both faulted at the fifth fence to earn four faults apiece. Goggins was the fastest four-faulter of the day and this earned him eventual fifth place.
Third to go, Ciara Marron’s Quality Street (OBOS Quality – Lux Z), ridden by Damien Griffin, then set the pace with a clear round in a time of 49.08 which would earn the pair the runner-up spot in the final line-up.
Hollystown Miss Lupin (Lux Z – Cruising) and Gerard Clarke faulted at the first part of the double to finish with four to add in 49.29 and eventual sixth place.
Hannah Patterson and her own Volt Star collected 12 faults on course to leave them out of the placings.
Floody was sixth to go aboard Castleroche Rebel, a mare by the Dutch sire Metropole out of Castleroche Monica by Clover Hill.
The pair lodged another fault-free round in a fast time of 46.69 over two and a half seconds faster than their closest rival to secure the win.
Hazel James and Calvachino were seventh in, they collected eight faults which left them out of contention.
Richard Murray and his own gelding Rock N Rolla (Tinaranas Inspector – Crannagh Hero) posted a clear round in 57.99 to slot into fourth place.
Fyfin Charlie and Jonathan Smyth had two fences down to finish on eight faults while Zizico ridden by Thomas O’Brien collected 12.
Last to go was Natalike Macken’s Tara M – a mare by Luidam out of Lasina II by Lasino – ridden by Francis Connors.
They produced a clear round in a time of 50.17 which slotted them into third place in the final line-up.
SIX-YEAR-OLDS
In the six-year-old final, just five combinations managed a double clear round to share the top–spot. They were:
Kenneth Graham and Aiden McGrory’s gelding Pacino Amiro (Pacino – Carnone Dancing Queen by Nc Amiro) bred by Simon Scott.
Longfield Quinlui, a mare by Quintender – Dshlyi by Luidam bred by Seamus Drea, owned and ridden by Derek McConnell.
Halltown Nalla a mare by Kannan – Athea Clover Mist by Clover Clon VII bred by Paddy Musgrave, owned by Louise Musgrave and ridden by John Floody.
Erne Mountain Dew, a gelding by Lux Z – Erne Blaze by Aldato, bred and owned by Hugh Fitzpatrick and ridden by Francis Connors.
Dothraki Warlord a gelding by Mermus R – Tiamo Diamant by Diamant De Semilly, bred by Patrick J Kearns, owned by Sorcha Hennessy and ridden by Derek McConnell.
FIVE-YEAR-OLDS
In the five-year-old division, five combinations also produced a second clear round to divide the win; Orestus Clover a mare by Orestus –Optimistic Clover by Clover Hill bred and owned by Ralph Morgan, ridden by Jessica Burke; Castle Camiro a mare by Sligo Candy Boy – Camiro Lady bred and owned by Noel Ruane and ridden by Vincent Howley; Abc Caruso a gelding by Cardento – Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser by Cruising bred by Patrick Kehoe, owned by Ivor Fox and ridden by Catherine Thornton; Swift Action a mare by Ballycapple Diamond Cruise – Diamond Society by Nigrasine bred by Rory Finnerty, owned by Norman Allen and ridden by Olive Clarke and Annaghquin Lady Jane a mare by Royal Concorde – Mockingbird by Cavalier Royale bred by John Purcell, owned by Ballynakilly Farms Ltd and ridden by Garth Swaile.
The next round of the series takes place in Mullingar (June 2nd –3rd).