Two of the region’s top yards were represented, however, with the Comber-based Martin & Walsh team taking the in-hand honours with their Balmoral champion, Classic Choice. A bay gelding by Emperor Augustus, the three-year-old was bred by Pat Gore out of the Kings Master mare Jockeyhall Touch Of Class.

The reserve champion was Dessie Gibson’s winning two-year-old, Duckett’s Grove, a son of Kings Master out of a Courage mare who was making his debut on Saturday and took the first qualifying spot for the all-Ireland championship at Tinahely in early August.