WATERFORD’s Paddy O’Donnell returned to Bannow and Rathangan to reclaim the win in the Gain Equine Nutrition/Alltech Grand Prix last Thursday aboard the Pat Peare-owned WEC Mermus Rua. Sponsored by Pettitts Supervalu in Wexford, the Waterford rider took home the winner’s share of the €4,000 on offer. The Wexford venue has proved to be a happy hunting ground for O’Donnell having claimed the win last year aboard Miarium Queally’s HBF Delmar.

This show is very much a family affair for O’Donnell with his father Paddy having had much success here in the show rings. Speaking after the win, O’Donnell said: “I am very lucky to have all the people supporting me. I have an amazing wife who works who is equally as supportive. These days make it all worthwhile.”

Bred by Ray Browne, WEC Mermus Rua is an eight-year-old by Mermus R out of Drs Chattanooga. This combination recently took fourth place in the Dublin Horse qualifiers at The Meadows. O’Donnell himself is certainly on a roll having claimed the Grand Prix win in Dungarvan the previous week with the Jim Nash-owned Quality Command.

A large crowd lined the arena to see the 19 combinations take on the John Doyle-designed course. From those, just six proceeded to the timed round.

O’Donnell had his first look at the jump-off course with the eight-year-old Kilcorig Elysium, but they proved out of luck when he had one on the ground in 37.96, which would later see him take fourth place. Owned by Alberta Capital Limited Conway, the eight-year-old gelding is by Cornet Obolensky out of Kilcorig Belle.

Placed third in the round at Charleville, Paul Beecher and Glamstone were up for the challenge but four faults at the last in a time of 36.97 would prove good enough for third place on this occasion.

Moving up the order, Waterford’s Gemma Phelan on Curraghraigue Jack Bro delivered the first clear of the jump-off in 39.08, which would later see her take second place. Owned and bred by Baden Powell, the seven-year-old gelding is by Orestus out of Curraghgraigue Errigal.

Next up was Linda Murphy who accounted for fifth place with Susan Fitzpatrick’s Castle Howard MRF Tiffin, when she had four faults early in the round in a time of 39.03. This eight-year-old mare is by Metropole out of Brockagh Classic Lady.

All eyes were on Brendan Murphy as he took it on with the seven-year-old Shirsheen Calensky, but with the first fence down in a time of 44.41, Brendan had to settle for sixth place. Owned by Linda Murphy, the seven-year-old gelding is by Cornet Obolensky out of Candy Copper. This combination took seventh place in the RDS qualifier at Mullingar Equestrian

Last to go, Paddy O’Donnell knew what he needed to do to take the win and he didn’t hold back. He negotiated a very tight line from the double to the rainbow fence and although the tight line to the last didn’t go as planned, skillful riding saw him maintain the pace and clock the winning time of clear in 39.05 seconds.