WATERFORD’s Nicholas Connors got the ball rolling for the Irish at the two-star show in Lier, Belgium, last week when he took second place in Thursday’s 1.30m with Just Jump. Isabel Fitzpatrick and Fourth Of July finished down the line in eight place.

Connors returned the following day to take victory in the 1.20 aboard the 12-year-old Master Imp-sired mare, just ahead of Kayleigh Soden and Juliana.

In Thursday’s 1.40m, Cameron Hanley and Shuttle finished fifth when they clocked a time of 62.19 seconds. He was joined by Connors in the line-up as he took eighth place with Aborable Du Talus, clear in 63.09. Also, in the ribbons that day was Kilkenny young rider Jack Ryan, who finished fifth in the 1.40m with Moneybroom Dancer.

Later in the day, Ivan Dalton was best of 51 competitors in the 1.35m when he piloted Uith De Rotes to a win in class, clocking the fastest time of 29.57. On Friday, this combination recorded another win in the 1.40m two phase. One of 96 starters, they broke the beam in the winning time of 28.49 and picked up just over €700 euro for their efforts.

Cameron Hanley also featured in this line-up when he recorded a clear with Shuttle Two in 29.75 for eventual fourth.

VICTORY FOR RYAN

Jack Ryan led Saturday’s seven-year-old victory lap with the super consistent Essenar High Hopes, winner of the seven-year-old final at the Irish Breeders Classic show in September. The combination delivered a clear round in 54.60, over four seconds faster than their closest rival.

Connors added to his record when he took fourth with Holy Blue in the five and six-year-olds on Saturday, and had another good result in the 1.30m aboard Just Jump when finishing in third place.

Kayleigh Soden won Saturday’s 1.20m with Juliana. Isobel Fitzpatrick took seventh slot, ahead of Annemarie Fitzpatrick in eighth.

Following a two-star Grand Prix win the week previous, Ivan Dalton was once again in the ribbons in Sunday’s 1.50m Grand Prix, this time aboard Lord Bi. Dalton was one of six clear rounds against the clock in a time of 39.17 seconds to slot into fourth place and earn €3,000.

Mayo’s Cameron Hanley guided Centolina B to a clear in 39.87 to finish fifth. Victory went to The Netherlands’ Lennard De Boer and Dento (0/0 37.05).