Second to go on the start list, O’Brien’s experience showed as he steered Niamh Keogh’s 13-year-old Ullrich into the winner’s slot, claiming his portion of the €2,500 prize fund put up by the host sponsors.

By Emilion, Ullrich was bought by the O’Brien family as a four-year-old from Holland. He was first campaigned by Thomas’s brother David before being sold to his current owner, Niamh Keogh, who campaigned him in the amateur ranks. Since being reunited with the gelding last year, Thomas has been placed in the Connaught and Munster Grand Prix league but this was the pair’s first Grand Prix win.