THERE were some smart types among the 26 starters in the pre-novice class but the emphasis here is on the winner Kudos and third-placed Big Easy, two five-year-old chesnut geldings ridden by Clare Abbott for John and Cormac McKay.

“Big Easy and Kudos did nothing as four-year-olds competition wise,” revealed the Hillsborough rider. “They were broken and I had each one for about eight weeks to ride about. I got them back in in June and they started eventing in August. They are both lovely horses, very different but equally talented.”