Trouncing a top-class field to gain the biggest win of her career, Ennis opened her challenge by recording a smart dressage mark (42.1) and forged ahead after delivering two faultless jumping performances. As one of the fastest in the country, the pair carried the addition of 6.6 time penalties leaving them with a fractional advantage over the French rider Cedric Lyard (Cadeau du Roi) and British international Izzy Taylor with Orlando.

“Shocked and thrilled – as I wasn’t expecting that at all,” admitted Ennis. “I knew that the cross-country was going to be big, but I have to say I didn’t think it would be as strong. He was very relaxed the whole weekend and felt very good in all three phases. We have been working hard with Ian Woodhead for the dressage and Ian Fearon for the show jumping, which I feel has made an enormous difference.”

Ennis went on to explain that the 10-year-old son of VDL Ricochet (dam by Parliament TB) ran in the heat of the day, and on ground that had been growing stickier as the competition progressed. “It was very holding in places but he has great stamina,” she added. “He lost two shoes on the way round, but hopefully is still on track to run at Tattersalls.”

Well over half of the 62 runners encountered problems over what proved to be a typical Ian Stark track. Aoife Clark, who looked right back to form with Fenyas Elegance, was one of the many to err, unfortunately clocking up 20 penalties at the sunken road nearing home.

Irish dominance was maintained in the second sector when Sir Mark Todd posted his third victory of the season aboard the Irish export Amacuzzi (Marcuzzi). Formerly campaigned in Ireland by racehorse trainer Stuart Crawford, under whom he won the FEHL finals in 2007, the gelding was later sold to Italian rider Suzanne Bordone. Looking back to that illustrious four-year-old final, those with good memories will also recall that the recent Rolex winner Bay My Hero (formerly Mooney) filled third spot, while Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh held fourth.

Chasing Todd throughout, and despite lowering three coloured poles, Aoife Clark piloted the thoroughbred Vaguely North into fourth spot, leaving Jayne Doherty, who creditably show jumped clear with both her horses, in 17th with Ravenstar and The Only One (26th). Melanie Ashe also completed in 25th place with Rathmoylan Flight.

KYLE SCORES

Adding to the Irish celebrations, it was good to see Mark Kyle bounce back from his Badminton fall to win a strong section of advanced with his one-day specialist Step in Time. Having produced one of only four clear rounds in the show jumping, the veteran 15-year-old belied his years to record the fastest cross-country round of the class.

Rounding off a good competition for the Irish, Jonty Evans filled fourth with his advanced level debutante Cooley Rorkes Drift, a placing that would have been bettered but for a single show jumping error.

The latter phase also proved expensive for Austin O’Connor, who in another section took 10th with GFG Rambo Man. The Oxfordshire-based pair had led the dressage on a stunning 26.4 but lost their early advantage after lowering two of the coloured rails.

A few hundred miles further north, another Irish contingent were enjoying a rewarding weekend at Floors Castle, in Scotland. June Burgess, Michelle Kenny, Lucy Latta, Esib Power, Shane Power and Michael and Patricia Ryan were in the ribbons throughout, with Power taking the runner-up spot in the CIC**.

Adding to the Irish haul, junior rider Latta Latta took on the seniors to fill second in the CIC* and Patricia heading the open intermediate with Tullineasky Hi Ho. (see report)

The battle for honours in the CIC** was a tight one and in the end, it was time faults that proved to be the deciding factor. Having held the advantage going into the country, Power and Zazoe gained a costly 2.8 penalties, which allowed Oliver Townend and the former Goresbridge Go For Gold graduate, SRS Cooley, to edge ahead by just 0.2 of a mark. Third at Ballindenisk in April, Power rides the Dutch-bred Zazoe for Joe O’Keefe, whose daughter Jodie will take over the ride later this year. In the same class, Michael Ryan (Ballylynch Adventure, Ballylynch Frenchie) jumped double clear rounds for lower placings, as did Michelle Kenny with Asilomar Independence.

Adding to the Power/Latta family’s celebrations, her cousin Lucy Latta flew the flag to take second spot in the CIC* with the Dutch-bred DHI Broadway. Well placed in fifth after dressage, Latta progressed to record one of six double clear rounds from the initial field of 42 starters. French rider Arthur Duffort claimed the class riding Moelfryn Sovereign Boy, leaving Chloe Bell to fill third with Strawberry Fox.