Emer Bermingham

THOMAS O’Brien returned home from international duty in Lisbon last week to take the honours in the TRM/Horseware Grand Prix at his home base in Galway Equestrian Centre last Sunday.

This was the second big win for O’Brien on home soil, having earlier claimed the seven/eight- year-old RDS horse qualifier with Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve.

Riding Connaught Bloodstock’s 10-year-old gelding Amaretto, O’Brien left nothing to chance as crossed the line over five-seconds faster than in closest rival. By Numero Uno and out of Midnight, Amaretto has been successful mount for O’Brien with a series of impressive results up to Premier Series level.

Speaking after the win, O’Brien said: “The horse arrived back from Lisbon on Wednesday so he only got a short rest before going back into competition. He has been jumping very well on the international circuit, with good placings in the ranking classes. He is normally quite fast, so I knew I could put my foot down.

“I didn’t take the inside line to the second last but I knew that I had made up the time earlier in the course and that I didn’t need to take the chance. Geoff Curran had set the target with a fast clear, so I just went for it and made up time in the gallop to the last.”

He added: “It was wonderful to win our first Grand Prix at Galway Equestrian. Everybody worked really hard to make it a success and the course designing was second to none. We had great weather and a lot of spectators which always adds to the atmosphere.”

As expected, international course designer Nigel Jess built a strong course and as a result only six combinations from the 28 starters proceeded to the jump-off.

The jump-off course allowed riders to make up time in the turnbacks, in particular from the wall back to the penultimate vertical, before heading down to the final oxer.

Double-handed in the jump-off Capt. Geoff Curran was first to go with Seapatrick. A calculated approach paid dividends for the the army rider, as he negotiated a series of tight lines and crossed the line carrying no faults in 40.68 seconds.

Next in, Thomas O’Brien knew the course he needed to take to lower the target. Setting off in a blistering pace with Amaretto, he made up time from the off. Although he opted to take the longer route back to the penultimate vertical, a strong gallop to the last saw him stop the clock in 34.35 to take the lead.

Conall McLoughlin clearly had his sights focused on a red rosette as he took it on with Shannondale Sonic. However, despite a good attempt four faults at the final oxer in 34.80 meant that he finished down the line in third place, just behind Curran and Seapatrick.

Returning with his second mount Shannondale Rahona, Curran upped the pace again but it came at a price, as he faulted at the first part of the double. A fast time of 37.18 seconds however, ensured him fifth place.

Edward Butler was keen to make his trip to Galway worthwhile. Riding Harold Mcgahern’s eight-year-old mare Rincoola he set off in a good pace, but four faults at the oxer after the double meant that he finished down the line, when stopping the clock in 38.20.

Last to go, only Gabriel Slattery could change the final standings. Setting off strong with John Byrnes Captain’s Magic Touch, he looked to be up on target, but a knock at the final oxer denied him a win and instead slotted him into fourth when clocking 35.58.

It was a good day for Thomas O’Brien as he also took the honours in the 1.25m with Lux Classic when clear in 60.99 seconds. O’Brien was chased home by Aoife McCabe and Carramore Oasis in 63.85, ahead of Daren Hopkins Furisto Cruise in 64.11.Anthony O’Regan led the victory lap in the 6/7 year-old Cavan Classic qualifier with Holmoak Bolivia, while Paul McDermott took the honours in the five-year-old Cavan Classic qualifier with Derrynalicka Silvy.

The last class of the day, the four-year-olds attracted a large crowd.

Following deliberation, judges Tiernan Gill and Capt. Geoff Curran found their winner in Joyce Veld and Luxapose. By Lux Z and out of the Cruising mare Coosan Lass, the gelding was bought by Veld and her partner Miley Dunning at Goresbridge sale last September and was broken by Veld. She will now be aiming the talented youngster at the RDS qualifer in Barnadown.