THE penultimate round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour at Coilog Equestrian proved popular with close to 150 entries declaring over the three divisions.

In the 1.35m division, Tom Holden set a fitting challenging track and taking the win was Capt. Geoff Curran and Dowth Hill who clocked the winning time of 24.91 seconds. Owned by Professor Alice Stanton and the Minister for Defence, the 10-year-old gelding, bred by Dr Noel Cawley, is by Flexible out of the Clover Hill-sired Ballinakill Clover. He is a full brother to Hybernia, also bred by Dr Cawley, and jumped to CSI4* level with Rio Olympian Greg Broderick.

Kildare’s Derek McConnell and Dothraki Warlord slotted into the runner-up spot in 26.05. Opting for the safer lines with the Rosemary Reynolds-owned Carousel Gold paid off for Sean Kavanagh as he delivered a clear for third (27.06).

John Floody is proving to be a real contender in this league and he took fourth with the Denyse Hughes-owned Ballyknock Diamond, clear in 27.90. Galway’s Mark Duffy slotted into fifth place with his own Figaro VII (28.24). Completing the top-six line-up was Aisling McGuinness and Kilderrys Joint Venture, clear in 29.40. McGuinness also took the leading young rider prize of the round.

Hadley shines

It proved a worthwhile trip from Galway for Sven Hadley as he took first and third place in the 1.20m division. Riding Elastique van de Koekoek, he lodged the winning round in 28.02. Owned by Hadley Sport Horses, the 11-year-old Belgian warmblood mare was bred by Filip Van Assvhe and is by Golden Hawk out of the Forever-sired Or Hide van jet Paradoxs. Prior to taking over the ride earlier this year, this mare was campaigned by Hannah McGoldrick. Hadley also lodged a very fast round of 28.72 aboard Topspin for third.

Separating Hadley’s placings was Gerard Clarke aboard Cyruso who clocked 28.29. Accounting for eventual fourth place were Andrew Hodgins and Bobello, clear in 29.18, ahead of Jessica Phelan and Easter Hero, clear in 30.08. Deirdre Doyle added to her leaderboard tally with sixth place on BLM Authentic Diamond, clear in 30.20 and also took the working producer prize. Jessica Phelan was awarded with the young rider prize of this round.

McDermott does it again

Following a great weekend at Mullingar where she emerged victorious in the 1.10m and 1.20m, Aileen McDermott returned to Coilog to claim victory in the 1.10m. For the second week, her home bred nine-year-old mare Amber Balou answered all the questions in a time of 30 seconds to take another victory. McDermott also took home the working producer prize of this round.

Fellow amateur rider Marie Hartley and Nikita Van Het Heidenhof were over four seconds slower, clocking 34.24 for second place. Michael Floody and Indella also kept all the poles in place, albeit in a slower time of 35.69 for third place. Last of the AA amateur riders, Michael Murphy and Master De Reve, crossed the line with nothing to add in 38.11 for eventual fourth place. A clear from Declan McEvoy and Léim an Bhradáin in 43.93 ensured him fifth place. McEvoy also took sixth place with Cill Droichid, clear in 45.40. Taking the young rider prize on this occasion was Kasha Skoczen.

Final looming

The final of the popular series will take place at the Irish Breeders Classic. Leading the 1.30m league is Francis Connors on 27 points. In the 1.20m, Deirdre Doyle and BLM Authentic Diamond hold poll position on 14 points, while in the 1.10m the current league leader is Aileen McDermott and Amber Balou on 22 points.