Brian Hennessy

DUBLINER Darryl Walker moved within touching distance of the TRM/National Grand Prix league-leaders, with victory in the 12th round of series at Cork Summer Show on Manuela Martinelli’s nine-year-old mare Cushions.

Visiting course designer Klaus Holle from The Netherlands saw a large group of 16 horses and riders through to the jump-off and Walker used his advantage as last to go against the clock to take the win by just six hundredths of a second.

Speaking to The Irish Field afterwards, Darryl was full of praise for the mare, who is by Flex A Bill out of a Flagmount Diamond dam.

“She jumped great as always, I was second last to go in the first round and was lucky enough to get the draw as last to go in the jump off. I knew a few of the riders had gone very quick and it was very tight in the end winning by just .06 of a second, but I am absolutely thrilled,” he said.

Walker continued: “I have her almost two years now so we have started to form a good partnership, she has matured as well, she might be only nine but she is very, very consistent. This is the first year that we have stepped up to Premier level but I am going to focus now on the National Grand Prix because she has been so consistent in it.”

The Munster Agricultural Society provided a €4,000 prize fund and four of those who made it into the jump-off decided to withdraw from the timed round, saving their mounts instead for the Premier Series the following day.

Vincent Byrne moved further up the league table with a runner-up finish at Cork riding Mr Rockefeller. The reigning Grand Prix league champion moved into the lead when clear in 40.29 seconds and despite a great effort, Alexander Butler riding Monastery Stud More Pleasure had to settle for third place after they crossed the line clear in 40.47 seconds when second last to jump..

Tipperary’s Liam O’Meara had set the early target with Mr Coolcaum (41.73) and the son of Coolcaum Hill would eventually finish fourth, while 19-year-old Jenny Rankin comfortably finished as the best placed young rider, taking fifth overall with Richard Bourns nine-year-old Coupe De Coeur sired mare Colorland’s Cheyenne when crossing the line in 41.78 seconds.

Co Clare’s Joan Greene opted for a steady clear with Liam Brennan’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Coolgrange Cruising and was rewarded with a sixth place finish.

Catherine Thornton also produced a double clear round with Derryinver Luxury Cruise to finish seventh while Paul Beecher also kept the poles standing in both rounds with Loughnatousa Eric to finish eighth. Kilkenny’s Ger O’Neill came very close to matching the winner’s time with Sharon Fitzpatrick’s Isacorada, but one fence on the floor left them in ninth place at the finish.