BARNADOWN proved to be happy hunting ground for Edward Doyle last Sunday as he took the win in the Horse Sport Ireland and SJI Autumn Development Grand Prix Series with Chacco Bay. Along with the victory, the Kildare man took another share of the €5,000 on offer as he claimed sixth place with Flexability.

Doyle was one of two double clears in the five-way jump-off with Chacco Bay in a time of 44.74 seconds. He proved out of luck when he had a pole down with Flexability in the first round, but a fast time of 75.22 meant that he took another place in the line-up.

Of the 27 combinations that took on the John Doyle-designed course, eight were denied their place in the jump-off when they had a pole down in the first round.

Speaking after the win, Doyle said: “I am delighted at how both horses went and for the Cawley family, who bred both horses. I was unlucky with Flexability as we had four faults at the double. Chacco had also finished fifth in the 1.30m earlier so it was a good outing for him.

“It was a fair track and although only five went into the jump-off, there were a few good combinations that had a single rail down in the first round. We were lucky with the weather and as always Barnadown did a great job in running the event. I think these classes are a great bonus for riders at the back end of the year. The decent prize money means that horses will remain jumping for that bit longer in the season.”

Renowned breeder Noel Cawley also went home happy as the breeder of both of Doyle’s horses and picked up the leading breeders’ prize of €1,500 in this round for Chacco Bay.

Owned by Lisa Cawley, Chacco Bay is a nine-year-old gelding by Chacco Blue out of the Cruising-sired Cruise Leaf. He is a half-brother to the current National Champion Ballypatrick Flamenco.

Flexability is a 10-year-old mare by Flexible out of Diamond Ballerina. This is the second good result for this combination in the series, having claimed third place in the opening leg in Mullingar.

Kildare school teacher Jamie Garland opted for the safer lines with the big striding Zeppelin and they crossed the line with nothing to add in 46.95 to take the runner-up spot with the only other clear round. Owned by Jamie’s father Robert and bred by her mother Jill Garland, the 12-year-old gelding is by Luidam out of Jill’s home-bred Cavalier Royale mare Tillula.

Tipperary’s Andrew Hodgins proved that the time could be beaten with his own mare Sandra clocking 38.92, but four faults would see him finish third. Bred by Hodgins, the 11-year-old mare is by Lux Z out of Thornhill Sandy.

Similarly, Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney set a very fast time with Temple Alice, clocking 41.97, but four faults meant he had to settle for fourth place. This combination were fifth at Killossery earlier in the league. Owned by Moloney and TSI Equestrian, Temple Alice is a nine-year-old gelding by Foxglen Cruise Control out of the Rantis Diamond-sired Innishannon Shamrock.

Wicklow’s Brendan Murphy put in a blistering round in the jump-off with City LVM, clocking 32.02, but with two down, he took fifth place in the line-up.

Owned by Helen O’Regan and John Hoyne, City (LVM) is a nine-year-old Dutch-bred gelding by Cicero Z out of Camousine Z.