IN what was probably the most competitive class of the day at Frankfort Stud, David Raeburn landed the honours in the EI100. Leading the 25 starters from the front, Raeburn piloted Laura Jane Mahony’s Chilled Bud to head John Tilley, who filled both second and third spots, with Carrigshawn Zara and Fernhill Quantum. The Andy O’Rourke-bred Chilled Bud is a comparatively new ride for Raeburn, and is one that is continuing to please.

“It’s all just starting to click now,” said the Cashel-based rider. “He’s an easy ride, but lacked a bit of confidence across the country. We’ve done a good bit of work with him and, since the Lisgarvan international, we’ve noticed a big change in him and things have really come together.”

The 10-year-old son of Chillout is now bound for Ballindenisk, where he will line up in the CCI*Intro.

“This was a perfect warm up,” added Raeburn. “There was a little bit of everything and they had done a good job on the ground.”

Also double clear, and less than two marks adrift of the winner, John Tilley will have been equally pleased with his six-year-olds, Carrigshawn Zara (by Mermus R) and new ride Fernhill Quantum.

The former, who is owned by Sharon Power and bred by Jack Warner in Co Wexford, won the DAFM development class at Lisgarvan recently, while the Deirdre Lannigan and Carol Gee-owned Fernhill Quantum, who was a first-time ride for Tilley, was bred by Dessie Gibson and is by Colandro. Both horses hold entries for the Michael Leonard five and six-year-old championship at Ballindenisk this weekend.

Another to record a good placing was Charlie Boardman, who, riding Belline Super Ted for Richard Ames, slotted into fourth. Opening in second spot, he added a few costly time penalties, but otherwise foot-perfect, he remained ahead of fifth placed Emma Egan (Rusheen Quality). Just six picked up isolated penalties in the country and seven faulted in the show jumping, but overall, there was a good balance of penalties and all completed.