A HIGH STANDARD of jumping was seen across the board in the three young horse finals in Mullingar on Sunday morning. Joan Greene and CSF Vinze dominated the seven-year-old division with a jump-off time of 38.35, which secured them the top-spot.

By Luidam and out of a Cruising mare Telly Cruz, the gelding is owned by Tim O’Shea and was bred by Patrick Connolly from Co Galway.

The runner-up spot was claimed by Primo Troy (Clinton – VDL Arkansas) ridden by Francis Connors and bred by Linda Courtney Cadem. They produced a jump-off time of 39.41.

Trevor Nicholson rode his own stallion Drumconnick Verdi (Verdi – Padinus) into third place in 40.73 while Tholm Keane and BMH Big Time (Luidam – Cavalier Royale) were fourth in 41.04.

Fifth place went to Vivian Lee (Ars Vivendi) ridden by Tholm Keane for owner Ronan Tynan in 41.70 and four faults in the jump-off meant Francis Connors and his second mount Pembrook Milenia had to settle for sixth.

Nine of the 24 starters produced double clear rounds in the five-year-old division. They included Olive Clarke and FSS Spotlight (Cruising Mickey Finn – Indoctro), Derek McConnell riding the John Brady-bred gelding Semper Fidelis (Flexible – Temple Clover), James Hogg and Intuitive (Beach Ball – Andiamo Z) and Sea Topblue, a gelding by Chacco Blue, partnered by Jenny Rankin.

Castlelawn Captain Junior (Captain Clover – Diamond Lad), who was bred by Elizabeth Gallagher, was the only full horse to make the final placings he was ridden by Shane Dalton and is owned by Gabriel Slattery.

The remaining four included Kilardo, a gelding by Diarado – Clover Hill bred by Joe Howley and ridden by Kevin Gallagher, Zilko, a mare by Billy Twomey’s international mount Je T’Aime Flamenco, bred by Thomas O’Brien and ridden by Linda Moloney, Small Change, a gelding by Clem McMahon’s Pacino and bred by Korena Byrne with Richard Kerins in the saddle, and JM Penelope, a mare by Toulon out of an OBOS Quality 004 mare Quality Star, ridden by Vincent Byrne.

Mullingar has proved a happy hunting ground for Byrne and JM Penelope they secured their place for the Dublin Horse Show recently when they won the first qualifier here.

DOUBLE CLEARS

Of the 23 starters in the six-year-old division, just seven returned double clear rounds. They included Drumiller Revolution (Corland – Puissance), a mare bred by Paul Dillon in Co Down and owned by Colm McGrath ridden by Ciaran Ward. Richard Kerins continued his success when he and Achonry Carie, by Hermes De Reve – Sir Rivie, bred by Frank Kelly, added their names to the list of clears. They were joined by MHS Attraction (Numero Uno – Diamant De Semilly) and Jenny Rankin; Thomastown Senna (Mermus R – Cruising) with Mervyn Clarke on board.

Also taking their place in the top seven were Rainstown Majestic (Manhattan – Grange Bouncer) and Micheal Pender, Edward Little riding the Dr Noel Cawley-bred Jack Diamond (Jack Of Diamonds – Cruising) and Castleforbes Angelina, by Vivaldo Van Het Costersveld – Germino D’Elle, ridden by Nicola FitzGibbon.

The next round of the series takes place in Galway on June 18th-19th.