JOHN Floody completed a trio of wins when taking his third Autumn Grand Prix series win this time aboard Ballyknock Diamond in Cavan last Saturday.

Floody won the first 1.40 metre round in Cavan in September riding Bronson de Reve, he then went on to win the 1.35m round in Wexford aboard HTS Blackrock and completed the trio when securing the 1.35m class in Cavan last Saturday riding Francis Hughes’ Ballyknock Diamond (Jacomar – Touchdown).

“We’re delighted with the result. It’s very nice to have three wins under my belt. Bronson and Ballyknock Diamond are experienced at 1.40 metre but I’m still getting used to Shalamar Casino, I’ve only had him for a year and HTS Blackrock is still relatively new to this height so it’s great to have such good results from all of them.

“It was a testing track but, as usual, Stuart (Clarke) had set a track that was challenging but not too big so as to frighten the horses. There was a huge start list and to get just 18 through to the jump-off was a great result.

“My plan for this week is to do Portmore and Killossery and then I think the next thing will be the Cavan International show.

“I plan to bring Bronson and Ballyknock Diamond to that, and for the young horse classes a nice six-year-old we have called Castleroche Rebel. I’ll also bring a good four-year-old we have who is showing promise, HTS Carnanbreagha. He is a gelding by Sir Shutterfly out of Ballybunion Aldatus by Aldatus Z who was bred by Brian Kieran and is owned by Clare Craig.

“I’ve had some good luck in Cavan in the past so hopefully it can continue for that show,” said Floody following the win.

A massive 92 starters lined out for the seventh round of the league and 18 made it through to the jump-off.

First to go was Clem McMahon riding his own Hilton Hashtag. Once again the pair executed an impressive clear stopping the clock at 43.31 which would be good enough for eventual fifth place.

Shalamar Casino ridden by Floody was second in. They were going well until the sixth fence where they collected four faults in a time of 42.34.

Third in Emily Turkington and Willem left all the fences up in a fast time of 41.61 to go to the top of the class.

Their position was shortlived however, as next in was Floody and his second mount Ballyknock Diamond. They provided an immaculate clear in a time of 40.83 to snatch the lead from Turkington.

Winner of the round in Kernan’s Equestrian Peter Smyth was next this time riding CHS Krooze (Kroongraff – Cruising). The pair left all the fences intact but in quite a slow time of 57.63 to slot into eventual seventh place.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The next three riders in all notched up a score of eight faults apiece; Leo Carey and MT Cruise had both parts of the double down towards the end of the track.

Maria Vozone and Alonzo N had the third and the last fence down, while Joan Greene and CSF Vinze faulted at the last two obstacles.

There was no luck for the next competitor in either; Allihies Diamond Boy (Coevers Diamond Boy – Clover Hill) partnered by Emily Turkington had the first fence down for four faults.

Patricia Greer and Jones VD Bisschop (Heartbreaker – Voltaire) then broke the run of bad luck when they lodged a clear round as the 11th to go. They broke the finish beam in 45.61 which would slot them into sixth place.

Talented youngster Conan Wright riding Norman Allen’s Cara Touche kept the good momentum going when they too left all the fences up; but this time in a faster time of 42.72 to occupy third place.

Deirdre Doyle and BLM Authentic Diamond collected eight faults at the third and fourth fences, while Eddie Moloney and Finnisk Beowulf had the first fence down for four faults.

Conor McEnerney riding CMS Gunfire (Guidam – Cavalier Royale) then earned eight faults at the third and second last fences.

The 15th rider in was Louis Delplace riding Lowhill Showdown (Carrick Diamond Lad – Touchdown). This pair had just one fence, the last, down which ended up costing them the win as they stopped the clock in the fastest time of the day, 38.35.

Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lui faulted at the fourth and sixth fence to finish on eight faults, while the final rider in John Floody and his third ride of the class HTS Blackrock saw their hopes of a win dashed early on when they had the first fence down.

The next 1.35 metre round of the Autumn league takes place today (Saturday) in Portmore.