THE 1.35m section of the Mervue Equine Leinster Tour came to an exciting close at the Irish Breeders’ Classic last Saturday when Eddie Moloney and Cruicerath Flexianna landed the title and with it, the top prize of €2,000.

Owned by TSI Equestrian, the nine-year-old mare is by Flexible out of the Holland-sired Pannamarenca. The combination had claimed two wins in the series – one in Coilog and one in Mullingar, as well as third place in Tattersalls.

Taking the runner-up position and €1,000 was John Floody and Declan McEvoy’s BLM Cosmopolitan Dandy.

Last week’s winner at Iverk, Patrick Hickey and Quandurina landed the leading young rider prize of a training bursary with Bertram Allen at his yard in Germany. Hickey, who hails from Wexford, is a graduate of the SJI Young Rider Academy. Quandurina is a 13-year-old mare by Quidam de Revel out of Handura.

Winner of the leading pro-am and the Ian Fearon bursary was Declan McEvoy. On 13 points, his closest rival was Deirdre Doyle and BLM Authentic Diamond with just two points.

As expected, the final attracted large numbers with 51 combinations going to post. Leading the victory lap was Captain Geoff Curran and Dowth Hall, when they delivered the winning round in 31.69 seconds.

Owned by Professor Alice Stanton and the Minister for Defence, the nine-year-old gelding was bred in Co Kildare by Dr Noel Cawley.

Well-related, she is by Flexible, out of the Clover Hill-sired Ballinakill Clover. She is a full-sister to the same age BP Hybernia, who is currently jumping at 1.50m level under the command of Greg Broderick.

Last year’s champion, Paddy O’ Donnell, had his eye on a win, but broke the beam just slower than Curran in a time of 32.44 second with Minority Report and had to settle for second place.

Thomas Foley and Kingsborough Verdiva were less than a second behind in 33.17 for third, and there was plenty of support for Wexford rider Emer Kavanagh when she delivered a clear in 34.19 seconds with MHS Tamara to slot into fourth place.