THE first round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour got underway with 69 combinations going to post in the 1.35m section. Of the original starters, 26 delivered double clears with the top six coming home within 32 seconds.

Claiming victory and the lion’s share of the €1,500 on offer was Mayo native Daren Hopkins. Riding Numero Cruise and going towards the end of the draw, they posted the winning clear in 27.87 seconds. Owned by Leo Carey, Numero Cruise is a 10-year-old stallion by Numero Uno out of the Cruising-sired Ms Cruise.