IT took a little while for trade to pick up momentum, but at the close of play on Thursday afternoon the older horse market at Goresbridge delivered some highly encouraging returns.

Not only was there a standout top price of €20,000, but the figures revealed another positive hike in the clearance to 79% (75% in 2018 and 66% in 2017) as well as a much-improved average of €4,210 (€3,724).