THE famed Coolmore Stud in nearby Fethard sponsored the CNCJ* at Grove on Sunday and it went to a gelding with top-class sport horse breeding on both sides of his pedigree in Smart Spirit who was partnered by owner Noreen Slazenger’s grandson Sam Micklem.

The 11-year-old Grange Bouncer grey was bred by the rider’s father William out of the Chair Lift mare High Dolly, dam previously of the top international eventers Mandiba and High Kingdom and, as her last foal, the stallion Jackaroo who stands at the Micklems’ Annacrivey Stud in Co Wicklow; all three are by Master Imp.