SLIGO’s Richard Howley proved unbeatable at Aintree International Equestrian Centre’s well supported Elite Show last weekend.

The Wetherby-based Irishman concluded a very lucrative show by claiming the £1000 winner’s purse in the A.W. Jenkinson Natural Flake Grand Prix.

Riding Electra B, Howley produced an unbelievably tight turn into a top of the wings upright before powering home ahead in the 16-strong jump-off.

“This mare is naturally careful and quick. I’ve not had her too long now, but we’re gaining confidence with every outing and she produced a super roll back to save us time. The aim was to settle into a good early rhythm and, keep everything tight,” Howley said.

Portmore-based course designer Raf Suarez had set a tempting course in the jump-off and tension mounted as the class went right to the wire with the last five riders taking the top places, Howley jumping third last.

The Sligo-born rider brought both of his rides through to the jump-off and posted the fastest time of the day with Cruising Star II (Cruisings Micky Finn x Lux Z), a 10-year-old mare campaigned normally by Paul Beecher, but they lowered the second fence on a tight turn back.

“I have only had her a few weeks and this is our second show and I’ve found her very rideable and naturally quick,” he said of the Seryna Van Keulen-owned mare.

“That second fence proved particularly troublesome, so I did give it more room with Electra B,” Howley added.

This meeting started well for Howley who took the top two 1.35m places on the first day when Cruising Star producing the winning time, with Electra B finishing second.

“Raf always builds good courses here and the aim was to have a good warm up on the first day and return on the last to go well in the Grand Prix.

“This has been the ideal preparation for the Spanish Sunshine Tour,” concluded Howley, who was travelling 16 horses to Spain just a few days later.

Taking the next three places in the Grand Prix were local rider Julie Andrews (Ayrton IV), Holly Smith (Fruselli) and Anthony Condon riding Courtney 6.

Condon has only had Robert Bevis’ former ride for a few weeks and after their debut outing at Liverpool International, this was their second show.

“We’ve been getting to know each other quite well and after jumping double clear on the first day and a (1.40m) fence down on the second, I was delighted with his Grand Prix rounds.

“The fences went up quite a lot for the jump-off and it was a tough course. I didn’t want to go mad against the clock, but Courtney didn’t finish too far behind,” said Condon.

ARISTIO RETURNS

The Waterford rider enjoyed a successful show here with all of his horses going well and racking up a good quota of double clears.

After picking up a slight injury last year, Condon was pleased to have John Hales’ Arko III 12-year-old Aristio back in action and the stallion did everything asked by jumping two double clears in 1.10m and 1.25m competitions.

“It’s great to have him back on the road and we’ll build him back up slowly to top level,” said Condon.

Also jumping double clears for Condon and John and Pat Hales were the six-year-old mare Beluga Z (newcomers and Foxhunter) and Zira VH Kapelhof Z (1.30m).

Condon was also placed in the 1.40m speed competition riding Mary McCarthy’s Cavalier Rusticana and Condon’s fiancée Laura Johnson produced newcomer and Foxhunter double clears riding the home-bred Locarno six-year-old King Louis.

After a good win at South View recently riding Gyralda, Tyrone Flanagan travelled the Bugatti VDL mare on to Aintree along with the stallion Mr Lupicor, who finished ninth in a 1.15m open.

Having her first show since the tragic death of her father, Tom O’Dwyer, last July, Kilkenny rider Emma O’Dwyer won a fiercely contested 1.10m riding Lester Van T Laarhoff.

O’Dwyer is just a couple of months into her partnership with the Va Vite seven-year-old who also picked up a 1.15m placing at Aintree.

More places followed and O’Dwyer also finished third in a strong 1.30m and fourth in a grade C riding the Billy Mexico-sired nine-year-old Billy Starlet, a horse she had only been riding for three days.

O’Dwyer is currently studying physiotherapy and was due to return to university in Dublin after the show.