WEXFORD Equestrian has always proved to be a happy hunting ground for Eddie Moloney and he returned to clinch victory in the Balcombes’ Claims Management and DPL Group 1.35m Autumn Grand Prix last Sunday. Riding Cruicerath Flexianna, he delivered the fastest of the four double clears in the seven-way jump-off. Owned by TSI Equestrian, the nine-year-old mare is by Flexible out of the Holland-sired dam Pannamarenca. This combination has proved very consistent this year, taking the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour title.

First to go in the jump-off, Moloney got his first look at the course with Andiamix Hero Z. The Kilkenny rider negotiated a very tight line from fence 5B, back to the yellow vertical. He continued with a series of tight turns, but four faults at the penultimate fence and crossing the line in 37.07 meant that he would have to settle for sixth with his first mount.

Owned by Caroline Telsch, Andimix Hero Z is a nine-year-old gelding by Aganix du Seigneur out of the Andiamo Z-sired dam Boetia Hero. The combination has proved very successful and among their good results was finishing sixth in the New Heights Series at The Meadows in the first round of the 2019 series, second in the National Grand Prix in Clonmel, fifth in the Grand Prix in Ballinasloe, to name but a few.

Next up, National Grand Prix Champion Liam O’Meara also executed that tight turn back to the yellow vertical with Russel Style. A fast pace, clear in 36.49, would see him take the lead and then eventual third. Bred by Eamon Kenny from Co Laois and now owned by Liam’s wife Helen, Russel Style is a nine-year-old gelding by Russel out of a Harlequin Du Carel-sired dam Cruisings Carol.

O’Meara’s lead held only temporarily as Edward Doyle Jnr negotiated a very tight turn from five to six with Cruise Mor, which saw him reduce the target to 36.43. Bred by Kildare’s Peadar Byrne, the eight-year-old mare is by Furisto Diamond out of the Cruising-sired dam Ballynahia Cruise. This combination is showing a lot of promise and among their results this year was third in the seven and eight-year-old championship in the Irish Breeders’ Classic, numerous placings in the 1.35m Mervue Equine Leinster Tour and sixth in the National Grand Prix at Coilog.

Thomas Foley and Kingsborough Verdiva were in contention for a win but proved out of luck when faulting at the last. Their time of 34.58 would later see them take fifth place.

David Lawler opted for a more cautious approach with JM Penelope and faulting at the last, together with one-time fault (48.44) saw him slot into seven place.

Next to go, Derek McConnell opted to take the longer line back to the yellow vertical with Longfield Quinlui and it paid off as he crossed the line with nothing to add in 37.84 for fourth place. Bred by Seamus Drea, Longfield Quinlui (ISH) by Quintender (HOLST) out of Dshlyi (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN).

Last to go with Cruicerath Flexianna, Moloney knew what was required to take the win. Setting off in a blistering pace, his daring pace to the double and to the last that saw him get the upper hand, crossing the line in 34.03 to take the win, and put Doyle into second.

Win for O’Donnell

In the 1.20m, Paddy O’Donnell and Kilfarissey Evita took the win when they delivered a clear in 26.02. Less than a second behind were Isabel Fitzpatrick and SHW Candies Diamond in 26.99 for second, while in third were Ciara Desmond and Disco Volantee, clear in 27.50. A clear from Ciaran Moran and Ahare Olympic Flemmencio in 27.75 ensured him fourth, ahead of Francis Connors and Primo Cino in 28.98. Completing the top-six line-up was Michelle Kenny with Juicy, clear in 29.72.

Jim Donohoe and Hallowberry Coco won the Sids Garlic Seaweed 1.10m when crossing the line clear in 21.58. O’Donnell was back in the ribbons taking second place with Kilfarissey Evita, clear in 22.31. Slotting into third were Fiona Mullins and Blaencwm Jester, clear in 22.80, ahead of Taylor Peare and WEC Imperial Master, clear in 24.67. Fifth place belonged to David Raeburn and Garryard Electrolux, clear in 24.92-0, while in sixth place were Denise Hanrahan and Comeragh Cruiser, clear in 25.71.