The €5,000 GBBS International & Equine Evolve-sponsored five- and six-year-old Consolation class on Saturday saw 52 combinations go to post in the two phase special class.
Of the original starters, 10 delivered double clears. Taking the win was Lucy Gibson on the six-year-old Lady Catoki, when they galloped home in a time of 37.72. Junior rider Dore put in a great round with the six-year-old One Day Maybe, but was just short of the winner’s time, clocking 37.75. Charles O’Reilly Hyland and the five-year-old Penelope 31 accounted for third place when they clocked 38.79. A clear from Catriona Redmond and the six-year-old D Cullen Dominator in 39.70 saw them take fourth place. Dyan Ward and the five-year-old Lagans Candy Boy accounted for fifth place (40.03), while in sixth place was Derek McConnell and the five-year-old, Farrellys Contessa (41.00).
Leading the victory lap in the seven- and eight-year-old class was Molly Hughes Bravo and the seven-year-old HHS Mercedes. They were the fastest of 10 double clears in a time of 36.85 seconds. This was a good send off for this pair as they travel to Lanaken as part of the Irish squad. Almost two seconds behind was Darragh Ryan and the seven-year old Royal Majestic D’Or in a time of 37.72.
Katie Power and the seven-year-old Starfield Brighteye came home in 38.67 for third place, ahead of Abigail Boland and the seven-year-old Leighlin Cooley, clear in 38.85. Ciaran Moran and the seven-year-old Greenhall Mullord accounted for fifth place, when clear in 39.97, while in sixth was Edward Doyle Jnr and the seven-year-old, OKE Lulu Star, in 41.28.