THE Minister For Defence’s HHS Clinstown was ridden to the top-spot in the Mervue Series 1.35m jump-off class in Tattersalls by Lt Michaeli Byrne.

By OBOS Quality 004, out of MHS Kilkenny Lady, by Cavalier Royale, she was bred by Ita Brennan and has been ridden by Lt Byrne since last August.

Eight of the 28 starters produced a first-round clear to progress to the timed decider. Byrne was fastest of these, crossing the finish line in a time of 36.84 seconds.

Second was young rider Tom Wachman riding Coolmore ShowJumping’s mare I’m Here (Carambole x Numero Uno) in 37.56.

Comdt Geoff Curran took third with the Minister For Defence’s Derrycush in 38.58, while fourth was Catherine Pasmore riding her own French-bred mare Eden De Maugre in 41.46.

Harry Wood was fifth with Steven Smith’s German-bred Casino’s Boom. Niamh McEvoy finished in sixth aboard Jane Allen Collins’ home-bred Lougherne Kingfisher (Colestus x Limmerick).