IT proved a well worthwhile trip from Galway to Wexford for Sven Hadley as he took the honours in The Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix at Bannow and Rathangan last Thursday. Riding his own Sumas Taloubet, he lodged his first win of the series to take home the winner’s share of the €4,000 on offer in the Jim Bolger-sponsored class.

Delighted with the win, Hadley said: “I knew that it was going to be a very competitive class as there was some very experience combinations through to the jump-off. Suma is quick across the ground and I knew that I could take the tight turns and take the chance to the last.”

Regarding the show, he added: “It’s a show with a great atmosphere and it’s great to see so many spectators watching the showjumping. The committee did a wonderful job with the arena and put in a lot of effort to ensure that the course jumped very well.”

In total, 19 combinations took on the John Doyle-designed course and from those, eight proceeded to the second round.

First up, Liam O’Meara proved out of luck with Could be Anything when he faulted at the penultimate fence, crossing the line in 49.31 for eighth.

Next to take it on, Paddy O’Donnell faulted with Best of Quality at the first part of the double, but their time of 40.11, would later prove good enough for sixth.

The first double clear was delivered by Jason Higgins and Api Des Champs in a time of 43.75. His lead held only temporarily as next in, Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise reduced the target to 39.37.

Michelle Kenny saw her hopes of a win dashed when she faulted at the second part of the double aboard Hillside Grey Dawn in 48.36, for seventh.

All eyes were on Sven Hadley as he took to the course with Sumas Taloubet. Hadley took a series of tight lines and delivered the winning time of 38.01 and demoted Hopkins into second.

Returning with his second mount Lucy Penny, O’Donnell once again proved out of luck when faulting at the midway point, but his time of 35.47 saw him slot into fifth.

Last to go, Liam O’Meara opted for the safer lines with the stallion Oldtown Kc and a clear in 44.81, saw him finish behind Higgins who took eventual third.