IN comparison, the CNCJ* was trouble-free. In the top spot, Jackilynn Breslin clocked up her first win of the year with RLE River Rock (34.8). The Co Wexford rider added just 0.8 time faults to her first phase score to edge ahead of Robbie Kearns and the clean jumping Green Master (36.3) and the recent Tattersalls victors Michael C. Healy and Soverign Guy.

Fresh from winning a bronze medal at the European championships, Zara Nelson and Millridge Buachaill Bui stamped their authority on the CNCP**. Once again, a tight time allowed prevented them from keeping an entirely clean sheet but their score of 36.8 was good enough to better fellow squad member Isabel Persse and Mr Blueskies (41.3) as well as Hannah Adams and Myshall Rodge.

Opening the EI 100 course in good style, Abbie Lucey narrowly landed her second pony win of the current campaign with the consistent Poulayone Eddie (30.0). The pair shared the same opening and completion mark as Jenny Kuehnle (Rathlaneen Roy) but gained the victory as closest to the optimum time.

In the junior sector, honours fell to Ella Boyle who produced a stunning flat work mark of 17.5. Despite rolling a coloured pole, Candy 737 maintained his lead to head Shannon Sheridan on Uisneagh Miss Douglas (24.8) as well as Allanah Murphy with Ottoman Rebel (29.3). All 17 runners completed without incident.

ENNIS WIN

Moving on to the first of two open sectors, Sarah Ennis recorded a good win aboard Miriam Cunning’s Sugar Bunnie. A full sister to Ennis’s four-star partner Sugar Brown Babe, the daughter of Porsch led from the front (30.0) to head the amateur duo of Zoe Kavanagh and Castlekirk and also Luke Drea with Gorsehill Horatio. All 23 runners completed, although Ann Lambert (Like Clockwork) was not alone when jumping the wrong fence in the country.

Heading the second division from the front (23.8) was Darragh Byrne riding Miss Tahiti for Kirsty Campbell. The ride on this lightly-campaigned daughter of Sovereign Water passed to Byrne just a few weeks ago and on this run really impressed. “She’s seven going on five,” said Byrne. “She green but felt great.” Following in dressage order, Terence White filled second with the smart Ballinglen Dreamys Boy (24.8) and a busy Luke Drea, this time riding Ballylynan Black Beauty. As in the opening group, the majority jumped clear. Just two failed to complete, and again an error of course was responsible for the elimination of the well-placed Grovine Class Act and Eddie Burrell.

Sophie Richards had been unlucky in the earlier CNC** but went on to land a satisfying EI 90 win with event debutante SRS Trending. The four-year-old daughter of Future Trend, who holds an entry in the Go For Gold sale in November, shared a winning mark (30.3) with second-placed Lyra Cruise Chip and George Russell. Having led dressage Karen Grey and Sherkin Masterpiece took a dislike to the hedge (4) in the country, while as the only other elimination Clare Lambert also clocked up green errors with Keep The Change.

Finally Lauren Andrews turned her EI debut into a winning one, when she headed the EI 90P field of 10 from the front. Riding fellow first-timer Paddy B, the duo produced a foot-perfect performance (33.8) to beat Crecora winners Charlotte Teehan and Railway Boy (35.0).