Local rider Robert Harrison got his show off to a good start when taking the honours with First Rouge.

Ninth to go of the 27 starters, Harrison set the bar high when he lodged a clear in 49.51. Not content with the win, Harrison also took fourth place with Holly CastleForbes (51.39). Galway’s Sven Hadley put the pressure when he clocked 56.41 with Cassana, but his lead was short-lived as just two combinations later, Harrison demoted him to the runner-up spot.

Best placed of the lady riders, Sophie Dalm and Valliant S clocked 50.82 for third. Fifth place was occupied by Jonathan Andrew riding Hurricane (53.98), ahead of Conan Wright and Arabella (58.51).

Leading the victory lap in the 1.30m was Thomas Foley riding Zamir. Fifth to go in the class, Foley clocked the winning time of 47.59. Speed merchant against the clock, Co Meath’s Gerard Clarke wasted no time as he took it on with Kings Best and a clear in 47.75 proved good enough for second place.

Rebecca McGoldrick’s decision to take the slighter longer lines with Alvarez paid off as they clocked 50.27 for third, while Alan O’Regan and Electric Feel finished in fourth in 51.21. Kieran Carey and CTS Peanuts occupied fifth place in 51.72, ahead of Catherine Thornton and Derryinver Luxury Cruise in 52.59.

Winner of the International Grand Prix in Balmoral, Alexander Butler returned to the winner’s podium when taking the honours in the first Grand Prix qualifier. Riding Harold McGahern’s Will Wimble, Butler was almost a second ahead of his closest rival in the jump-off, crossing the line in 41.50.

Deane Rogan maintained a clean sheet with Falco Van Spieveld albeit in a slower time of 42.66 for second. Peter Moloney and Ribanbelle Tame slotted into third (43.41) ahead of Vincent Byrne and Hannibal V Overis Z, (44.64).

Damien Patrick Griffin and Tabby scorched home in 45.09 for fifth place. Local rider Kellie Allen opted to take a more cautious approach with Oreal Des Etains Z and it came at a price as she recorded two time faults (56.33) which later proved good enough to slot into eventual sixth.

Robert Harrison found himself back in the ribbons on Sunday morning as he rode to victory in the opening 1.25m Table A class with Holly Castleforbes. Using his later draw to his advantage, Harrison lodged the winning round, clear in 53.85.

Sixth to go on the start-list, Gareth Nethercote put it up to the rest as he lodged a fast clear in 54.49 with Rossco, which proved good enough for the runner-up spot. Kenneth Graham and Lenamore Donatella were fractions behind in 54.95 for third while Vickie Anderson and Zack lodged a clear in 55.97 for fourth place. Anderson was chased home by Alicia Smallman riding Galano Ter klomp in 56.02.

Things didn’t quite going according to plan for Jonathan Andrews as he faulted at fence three with The Hurricane but a fast time of 56.08 proved good enough for sixth place.

As expected the fifth international class of the day, the 1.30m two phase, proved very competitive with 52 combinations battling it out.

CLARKE SCORES

Taking the honours was Gerard Clarke riding Kieran Kings’ Kings Best. Clarke’s determination showed as he took the inside line to fence 10 and then a tight turn back to the oxer at 11. Then taking the inside line to fence fourth, matched with a daring gallop to the last saw the pair clock the winning time of 28.40.

Kenneth Graham improved on his performance as he clocked 29.02 with Lenamore Donnatella slotting him into second place. No stranger to this type of pressure, Ger O’Neill had his foot to the floor with Dree Boeken’s Grossos Roeschen and a clear in 29.45 proved good enough for third.

Lady riders occupied the next three slots with Emily Turkington and Allihies Diamond Boy crossing the line in 29.56 for fourth while Sophie Dalm and Vaillant S was the next fastest in 35.63 for fifth, ahead of Catherine Thornton and Milano who clocked 36.99.

Vincent Byrne and Mr Rockefeller have proved very consistent on the National Grand Prix series of late and their good form continued as they clinched victory in the final 1.40 international speed class of the day. With a win in mind, Byrne maintained the pace throughout the course, this along with taking the inside line to fence eight, saw him post the unbeatable time of 59.28 seconds.

Byrne’s closest rival, England’s Abbe Burchmore-Eames and Wilandri E were almost two and half seconds slower in 61.55 for second place.

Eddie Moloney had his foot firmly to the floor with Chatsworth Dan but their time of 61.57 proved good enough for third. Sophie Dalm was back in the ribbons taking fourth place with Unique in 64.42, ahead of Robert Harrison and Callisto in 64.79.

Angela Percy had held the lead from the start with Ardragh Grandslam, but with some fast rounds being lodged towards the end, their time of 66.14 proved good enough for eventual sixth.