MONDAY’s horse finals went down to the wire. In total, 37 contested the final of the 1.20 Castleforbes Stud Midland Classic Championships and the top six all delivered clears. Jack Ryan had a great weekend in the international classes and added to his record as he led the victory lap in this national class. Riding Zavatar F, he lodged the winning round of 30.28. Waterford’s Paul Beecher was just over a second behind with Danqu in 31.22 for second, ahead of Louis Delplace and RHS Blue in 31.53. A clear from Paul Carberry and Cranny West in 31.88 ensured him fourth. Sven Hadley was back in the ribbons taking fifth with Jessy Van De Heide in 32.71. Slotting into sixth was Ciara Fives and Future Storm, clear in 35.13.

The standard was also very high in the 1.10m Lake County Ladies Final with the top six again maintaining clean sheets. With only a win in mind, Lisa Gerbola Bushaway and Carraigh Samraigh were the only combination to stay within the 30-second marker when clocking 29.88 to claim victory. Lisa Doyle and Corland’s Clipper were over two seconds behind in 32.34 for second. Little stood between the next placing as Tina Stephenson and Ballyconnell Kid clocked 32.92 for third ahead of Carol Gee and Fernhill Splash in 33.19. Accounting for fifth place was Catherine Dunphy and Eden in 33.63 while sixth place belonged to Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Kofi Annan, clear in 35.05.

Win for McCabe

Placed fourth in the qualifier, Aoife McCabe upped the ante to take the win in the 1.10m Derravaragh Championship aboard Carramore Oasis when they delivered a clear in 32.80. Fellow Galway rider Thomas O’Brien and Zizico took second place, clear in 33.56. Winner of the qualifier on Saturday, Aileen McDermott was back in the ribbons when she partnered Amber Balou to a clear in 34.03 for third, ahead of Brian Cassidy and Looks Easy, clear in 34.55. No stranger to this pressure, Johnnie Fitzpatrick and Saunders Beach Ball Cruise kept everything in place in a time of 34.62 for fifth, ahead of Lewis Trenier and Royana De Clairias in 34.86.

Amateurs

There was much anticipation for the Horse First Amateur Championship Final. Taking the win was Paul Tarpey and She Lux Quality (31.47). Winners of the qualifier on Saturday, Jacqui Boland and Maverick Na Rí had to contend with second when clocking 32.11. Lorraine MacGuinness’ calculated riding with Horseware Kinmar Night saw her deliver a clear in 39.38 for third, ahead of Val Joy and MB Daddys Dollars, clear in 39.66. Tara Brandon and Belfield Captain were unlucky to have a pole down, but a fast time of 36.41 saw her slot into fifth ahead of Sinead Behan and Winterdown Firecracker on four faults in 39.32.

The Charlestown Racing Lilliput Metre Championship Final saw a win for Lewis Trenier and Royana De Clairias who galloped home clear in 30.60. Sven Hadley was back in the line-up taking second with Bobby’s Womanizer, clear in 31.12. There was plenty of support for Hugo Harty who took third with Du Carels Vivendi, clear in 31.40. Amateur rider Sarah Kate O Donovan kept all the poles up with Valenthina in 31.48 for eventual fourth, ahead of Fiona Claffey and Ferguson in 32.57. Accounting for sixth was Patricia Woods with Kms Loving You, clear in 33.87.