MONDAY’s horse finals went down to the wire. In total, 37 contested the final of the 1.20 Castleforbes Stud Midland Classic Championships and the top six all delivered clears. Jack Ryan had a great weekend in the international classes and added to his record as he led the victory lap in this national class. Riding Zavatar F, he lodged the winning round of 30.28. Waterford’s Paul Beecher was just over a second behind with Danqu in 31.22 for second, ahead of Louis Delplace and RHS Blue in 31.53. A clear from Paul Carberry and Cranny West in 31.88 ensured him fourth. Sven Hadley was back in the ribbons taking fifth with Jessy Van De Heide in 32.71. Slotting into sixth was Ciara Fives and Future Storm, clear in 35.13.

The standard was also very high in the 1.10m Lake County Ladies Final with the top six again maintaining clean sheets. With only a win in mind, Lisa Gerbola Bushaway and Carraigh Samraigh were the only combination to stay within the 30-second marker when clocking 29.88 to claim victory. Lisa Doyle and Corland’s Clipper were over two seconds behind in 32.34 for second. Little stood between the next placing as Tina Stephenson and Ballyconnell Kid clocked 32.92 for third ahead of Carol Gee and Fernhill Splash in 33.19. Accounting for fifth place was Catherine Dunphy and Eden in 33.63 while sixth place belonged to Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Kofi Annan, clear in 35.05.