HAVING opted to withdraw from pole position in the earlier EI120 class at Ballindenisk, Alannah Kelly returned to the top of the leaderboard to land the EI110 (O) from the front. Riding the traditionally-bred Stroke of Genius, she impressed on the flat to lead the four runners on a score of 28.00 and, by adding nothing further, was never headed.

“He’s always been so consistent and has always been listed for teams, alongside my other horse Cooley Bounce,” said the Naas-based rider of the 14-year-old. “He’s currently for sale, as I’m in the process of getting a job, but if not sold we will aim for the CCI3*-S at Kilguilkey.”

All four starters completed the cross-country without incident, with Alison Holden and Lates Eddie carrying four penalties from the show jumping in second from third placed Caitie Slater (Derena Super Star ISH).

EI110 restricted

Carrying the Belline flag to land a double for the Richard Ames yard, Robbie Kearns and Belline Thistlebethelasttime headed the 32-strong EI10 restricted. In what was a highly competitive class, Kearns filled third place on the flat, but with the show jumping proving hugely influential, he was promoted after producing one of just eight double clear rounds. Only a six-year-old, the son of Grafenstoltz (also the sire of the Richard Ames-bred Badminton runner-up RCA Patron Saint) is the current holder of the prestigious Michael Leonard young horse championship at Ballindenisk and, boasting a smart record, will have put his name in lights for Le Lion d’Angers selection later in the year.

Enjoying a good day at the office to fill the runner-up spot, Alannah Kelly was thrilled with the similarly clean jumping Cooley Capri Sun, another six-year-old, who she bought from Richard Sheane two years ago. Sharing the same score, but filling third was Fraser Duffy aboard his Frankfort winner Lolita do Cahim.

Robbie Kearns and Belline Thistle Bethelasttime(ISH), winners of the El110 at Ballindenisk 2 \ Justin Black Horse Sport Images

EI100

The versatile MBF Sporthorses and Higgins Sport Horses team have another likely superstar in the EI100 winner Novostar (KWPN), ridden by Meabh Flynn. Sourced in Belgium last year, and initially show jumped in the age classes by Jason Higgins, the six-year-old by Untouched (Hols) has now racked up two wins from his three eventing starts.

“We like to send them jumping first, as we think it gives them a good grounding,” said Brian Flynn. “He has really taken to the eventing and loves it. If he’s not sold, we will kick on and do a few EI110 classes and see how we go.”

Flynn led the 34 runners from the get go and, keeping her score of 29.0 intact, remained 0.5 in front of Kim O’Gorman aboard the home-bred Wolf Sparta, as well as Robbie Kearns again, this with Belline Kilbuny Harmony. In the cross-country ‘skip and jump’ at 5a accounted for two eliminations and problems for three more.