WEXFORD Equestrian played host to the third round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour last Saturday. In the Madelaine Gervais and Thomson Sporthorses 1.35m division, 17 combinations battled it out for the prize fund of €2,000.

Taking the win was Daren Hopkins and Elite Della Caccia, when he was the fastest of five double clears in the two-phase class in a time of 29.91 seconds. Owned by Ballywalter Stables, the seven-year-old gelding is by Elvis ter Putte and is out of the Cardento-sired dam, Cardentina Della Caccia. This combination had delivered a double clear in the opening round in Barnadown, but finished outside the placings.

Tomas Doyle claimed the runner-up spot with Monbeg Ruby, when they crossed the line in a time of 32.13. Owned and bred by Marti Rudd, the eight-year-old mare is by Diamant de Semilly and is out of the Boherdeal Clover-sired dam, Ballycapple Mist. This combination has no shortage of talent, having recently finished ninth in the National Grand Prix in Barnadown last month, after delivering a double clear.

Lt Michaeli Byrne slotted into third place with the eight-year-old Glendarragh, when they clocked 35.55. This gelding is by Future Trend and out of the Aldatus Z-sired dam, KEC Pineapple.

Linda Murphy was less than a second behind with the Susan Fitzpatrick-owned Castle Howard Mrf Tiffin, in 36.61 for eventual fourth. Bred by Mike Comerford, the nine-year-old mare is by Metropole and is out of the Classic Vision-sired dam, Brockagh Classic Lady. This combination has proved very consistent at this level.

Doyle was back in the line-up, claiming fifth with Marti Rudd’s seven-year-old, when they were last of the double clears in a time of 37.93. This mare is by Sheikh and is out of the Landetto-sired dam, Visage Vant Paradijs.

Brendan Murphy posted the fastest time with the eight-year-old Loverly Postara, clocking 29.66. The speed came at a price however, as a pole fell to the floor and he had to settle for sixth place in the line-up. Owned by Langara Ventures, the gelding is by Glasgow-W Vh Merelsnest and is out of the Heartbreaker-sired dam, Postara.

1.20m

The 1.20m class, which was supported by Garryrichard Stud, saw 67 combinations go to post. Taking the win and with it a covering to the Garryrichard stallion Casago II, was junior rider Cian Byrne and Ciao Bella, when double clear in a time of 27.80. Owned by Sandra Duffy/ Ireland Horse Sport and Leisure Ltd, the 17-year-old mare is by Triomphe de Muze and is out of the Balou De Rouet Z-sired dam, Bo Du Rouet Z.

Tomas Doyle was back in the ribbons with Marti Rudd’s Monbeg Sunny Spells, clear in 28.12. Gemma Phelan delivered a clear with Thomas Hyland’s seven-year-old Coolishal, clear in 30.50. Mikey Pender partnered Miguel Bravo and Brendan McSorley’s six-year-old HHS Flonix to a clear in 31.99 for eventual fourth. Not content with fourth, Pender also took sixth place with his own and Emma Horgan’s Vilja’s Cornet Ballet Queen, when clear in 33.69.

Dividing Pender’s placings was Shane Dalton and the Ennisnag Stud-owned seven-year-old Mendoza VDL, clear in 32.10.

1.10m

The 1.10m section, which was also supported by Garryrichard Stud, attracted the largest entries with 77 going to post. Leading the victory lap was junior rider Edie Codd and the six-year-old HDI Restless, when they lodged a double clear in 30.66. Cian Byrne and Ciao Bella, took the runner-up spot when they kept all the poles in place in 30.68.

A clear from Seamus Dermody and Tankardstown Castleflight in 37.10 saw him take third place. Gemma Phelan’s clear with Thomas Hyland’s five-year-old, JFH Duke of Lerr in 37.70 saw them take fourth, ahead of Laura A Kelly and HL Marley and Me, clear in 39.03. Mikey Pender and HHS Flonix were back in the money, taking sixth place, when clear in 39.25.