WHILE the Irish Breeders’ Classic Five-year-old Final may have got underway later than scheduled, there was no shortage of quality on display and spectators were treated to an exciting showcase of some of the sport’s future stars.

Leading the victory lap was Mikey Pender and the Marion Hughes-owned HHS Lugano, when they delivered a clear in 37.02 in the eight-way jump-off. This home-bred gelding is by Lucky Luck and out of the Vigaro-sired dam, MHS Twenty and has proved very consistent in the age classes, taking fifth in the National Balmoral Championships in July under the command of Molly Hughes Bravo.