DARRYL Walker dominated Friday night’s Snaffles Bar Cavan Indoor Derby taking first and second place aboard Kiss ‘N Fly and CCS Ottomatic respectively.

Speaking after his victory, Walker said: “Both my horses jumped out of their skin tonight so I’m absolutely delighted.

“I actually had both these horses as youngsters and then they went to other riders and now they are back with me. They have both competed up to Premier Grand Prix level so they both have a fair bit of mileage.

“My immediate plan is to follow the Top Spec Autumn league this year, I got onto the leader board last weekend in MEC where we finished in third place so hopefully we can continue to accumulate points.”

A total of 43 starters lined out for the derby track which took place between both of Cavan’s indoor arenas. Just four combinations produced a first round clear to progress to the timed decider.

First to go in the jump-off were Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Galloway. They parted company when a refusal at the fourth fence saw MacDonagh unseated, but fortunately the pair were unhurt and slotted into fourth place in the final line-up.

Next in were Walker and CCS Ottomatic. Placed third in this competition in 2017, the pair once again produced the goods lodging a clear round in a time of 33.97 to set the pace.

John Floody and Ballyknock Diamond were next in. They faulted at the fourth fence, a triple bar, finishing in the fastest time of the day, in 31.37, for eventual third place.

Last to go, and competing against himself for the top spot, were Walker and his second horse, Kiss ‘N Fly. The pair began well and managed to slice 0.17 off CCS Ottomatic’s leading time to snatch the victory.

AUCTION

The ever popular derby class was followed by the Friday night auction in Snaffles Bar. The total amount of money raised was a fantastic €7,810.

Some of the top lots sold on the night included a Stubben saddle which was snapped up by Ger Leonard for €800, and a covering by Vivant which was bought by Megan McGettigan for €900. Irene McAleer purchased a clinic with Greg Broderick for €700, and Ciaran Nallon parted with €600 for a Sligo Candy Boy covering.