TAKING the win in the 1.35m Mervue Equine Leinster Tour at Bannow and Rathangan last Thursday was Andrew Hodgins, when he delivered a double clear with the John Glynn-owned Shanaclough Luichew in a time of 30.58. Bred by Jill Twomey, the eight-year-old mare is by Luidam and is out of the Coolcornan Wood-sired dam, Cailin Leathsli.

Sponsored by O’Driscoll’s Whiskey, the two-phase class saw 38 combinations go to post and, from those, 12 double clears were delivered.

Linda Murphy came closest to catching the winner, crossing the line in 30.93 aboard the Susan Fitzpatrick-owned Castle Howard Mrf Tiffin.

Winner of the National Grand Prix in CoilÓg, Vincent Byrne added to his record, when he claimed third place with Madelaine Gervais’ Pandora, crossing the line in 31.34. Gemma Phelan added to her takings, as she partnered the seven-year-old ESI Nixon to a clear in 31.50 for eventual fourth. Ciaran Moran and Margaret Fennell’s seven-year-old Greenhall Mullord, slotted into fifth when they came home in a time of 31.53. It was a good day for Brendan Murphy, as he took sixth place with Michelle Kenny’s seven-year-old Mustang VA in a time of 31.70.

1.20m

It was a profitable outing for Cian Byrne, as he took the win in the Trinity-sponsored 1.20m Mervue Equine Leinster Tour. Riding China Man, Byrne answered all the questions in a time of 33.43. Owned and bred by Sandra Duffy, the 11-year-old gelding is by Sligo Candy Boy and is out of the Lucky Gift-sired dam, China White.

Almost two seconds behind was Deirdre Doyle and the eight-year-old, Kancruise, clear in 35.31. Junior rider David Brennan also maintained a clean sheet with the Sinead Brennan-owned MHS Grand Slam, in 36.12 for third place. Byrne added to his haul, as he partnered the Andrew Byrne and Olga Doyle-owned Lunasa Cruise to a clear in 37.28 for eventual fourth. A clear from Ciaran Moran and the Jason Dear-owned All Dat Quality in a time of 41.28 saw them secure fifth place, ahead of Patrick Byrne and the Marcus O’Donnell-owned seven-year-old, Stonewell Trixie in 43.83.

1.10m

Leading another victory lap, this time in the 1.10m Mervue Equine Leinster Tour, junior rider Byrne delivered the winning round for the second time that day, jumping double clear in 30.33 aboard China Man. This combination took the runner-up place in the 1.10m league in Adamstown the week prior.

Amateur rider Ciara Kelly (AA) was hot on the winner’s heels aboard Annestown Clover Concorde, coming home clear in a time of 30.63 for second. Young rider Hallie Crowe and the six-year-old, Nikita took third, when clear in 33.84, ahead of junior rider, Kate Walsh and Redshire Molly, clear in 36.20. Fellow junior rider, Caoimhe Spacey answered all the questions with the six-year-old, Ringwood Patience, albeit in a slower time of 37.79 for fifth place. Completing the line-up was Michael Moran and the eight-year-old En Pointe, clear in 37.87.