LOCALLY-based Lucy McIlroy fought off all challengers to win Section A of the RDS Junior/Young Rider event horse qualifier at Tullylish on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old did so on her mother Angela’s traditional ISH gelding Imperial Wonder (294.5), who was bred in Co Monaghan by Amelia Comiskey. The six-year-old, who has been placed under Eventing Ireland rules, is a full-brother to the McIlroys’ Major Black (CCI2*-L), being by Imperial Hights, out of the Silver Wonder mare Tiney.

The Co Wexford father and daughter duo of J.J. and Corena Bowe, who were in the news in March having sold the top-priced lot at the Cheltenham Festival Sale, combined to finish second here with the Irish Draught gelding Patrickswell Sherry (289.5). This Cappa Amadeus six-year-old has been to Dublin twice previously, qualifying for the ID performance final, in which he finished sixth last year and second in 2022.

You can read all about the Section B winner, the Ciara O’Connor-ridden Ashwood Iron Lady (303.5), a seven-year-old Iron Man van de Padenborre mare, on page 84. Here, owner Lawrence Patterson saw another of his horses qualify for Dublin on the day, as Ben Cousins secured the second ticket on offer on board the ISH gelding Bonmahon Triomphant (287.5), a brown six-year-old by L’Arc de Triomphe.

This Junior/Young Rider class is confined to horses aged five to seven.