EDWARD Butler emerged victorious in the Irish Studbook Series six-year-old grand final. Partnering AHG Whiterock Luis, Butler proved fastest in a seven strong jump-off to clinch the win in Monday morning’s €2700 class.

Drawn in the middle of the clocked round, Butler stopped the clock at 36.12 seconds with nothing to add which proved to be an unbeatable target.

Owned and bred by Anne Clancy, AHG Whiterock Luis is by Luidam out of the Clover Hill-sired dam Kates Clover.

Butler commented: “I’ve had him since the beginning of this year. He has done most of the league and been placed a few times and he is getting better every time he’s out. It’s the first time I’ve run him against the clock and he did a great job he was very mature about it.”

“I have to consult with my owner but I’d like to try my case for a wildcard for Lanaken I think he is a very good horse with loads of potential.”

Francis Connors and Drumiller Houdini were crowned as league winners and assured of a place in Lanaken. Owned by the Grove Group, made up of Edward Little; Harry and Phyllis Agnew and Eleanor Allen, the mare was bred by Paul Dillon and is by Clinton out of a Ballinvella dam.

Little purchased the mare as a foal from the breeder and produced her up to the beginning of her five-year-old season before passing the reins to Connors. Connors and Drumiller Houdini have proven consistent throughout the league and finished fourth in the Meadows EC when supplying a double clear in a time of 38.58.

Taking second place was Mark Kinsella and DMS Heartthrob, coming home just off the mark in 36.81.

Kinsella has shown good form of late with the Dow Jones Courcel-sired mare finishing in the top six in the previous leg of the league at Tattersalls as well as the six and seven-year-old championship at National Balmoral.

Linda Moloney drifted almost a second wide of this time with the Luidam-sired Knightfield Arlie but her time of 37.80 was good enough to secure the yellow rosette.

Jim Derwin took fifth place with AHG Whiterock Cruise Down, complete in a time of 38.83.

Another horse bred by winning owner Anne Clancy, AHG Whiterock Cruise Down is by Cruising’s Mickey Finn out of a Touchdown dam. Derwin was confirmed this week as a selection for Lanaken with Deep Pockets while AHG Whiterock Cruise Down is the first reserve.

Clem McMahon completed the top six placings with the home-bred Pacino-sired gelding Hilton Pacato, the fastest of the four-faulters in 38.61.