THE Gamble paid off in style for Conor Swail as he marked his return to North Salem, New York, last weekend after a few years’ absence with a four-star triumph.

Riding the 13-year-old gelding Gamble, the Co Down pilot led an Irish charge on the $38,700 1.45m class, with Offaly’s Darragh Kenny following on from his success in a 1.40m class the day before with another good result in third place on Serendepety. Derry native, Jordan Coyle, was also in the prize money finishing fourth on King Kannan GP.

It was quite an amazing effort by Swail and the son of Vingino, owned by Asta Torokvei, as they were ninth of 78 combinations into the arena for the two-phase class. After going clear in the first phase, they showed their class with a clear in a time of 28.37 seconds, one that nobody could match. Nayel Nassar (EGY) got desperately close on Linguine De La Pomme, but when he hit the line, the clock stopped on 28.45 and the ultimate honour was Swail’s.

Philip McGuane also recorded a podium finish in Friday’s four-star $65,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem presented by The Kincade Group. The Clare rider and Paso Doble SCF, Evergate Stables LLC’s nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, were one of only three combinations from the 52 starting, who managed to go clear over Alan Wade’s testing circuit. Victory here went to Mark Bluman (COL) and Ubiluc, while Jessica Mendoza (USA) was runner-up on board In The Air, with McGuane and Paso Doble in third.

“I knew Conor Swail would come in just blazing, but I was just lucky enough today,” Bluman said.

Swail was the fastest of the four-faulters in this class to place fourth with Casturano and Jordan Coyle was fifth with Chaccolino.