ON Sunday, 25 finalists battled it out in the seven-year-old DAFM Studbook Series and this went to an eight-way jump-off, with the top four finishers all coming home within 44 seconds. Emerging victorious was Shane Dalton and the Ennisnag Stud-owned Mendoza VDL, when they delivered a clear in 43.24. Bred by VDL, this stallion is by Harley VDL and is out of the Cardento mare B Dame VDL.

Dalton said afterwards: “I started riding the horse at the start of May. He qualified for Dublin in Mullingar. He jumped very good in the first round, he is very consistent, he does his job and I am very thankful to have the ride on him. We are looking forward to Dublin now, this is the perfect preparation.”

Dalton was almost caught by Emma O’Dwyer with her own and Heather Blair’s Dougie Drea, who delivered that all-important clear in a time of 43.58. By Ard VDL Douglas, he was bred by Victoria Foster.

Harry Wood also put in a very good attempt aboard GBBS Int Ltd’s BP Lion Man (Kannan x Guidam), bred by Kilmashogue Stud, keeping all the poles in place in a time of 43.78.

Jason Higgins went early in the class with MBF Be Blue (Chaccon Blue x Highvalley), owned by the rider and Meabh Bolger, and he put the pressure on as he delivered a clear in 43.98, which would later prove good enough for fourth place.

Last of the double clears in a time of 45.19 was Mary Fitzgerald with Queen of Dancing in a time of 45.19. Bred by Ballywalter Bloodstock and by Emerald van’t Ruytershof, Queen of Dancing is out of Bertram and Harry Allen’s former international winner, Dancing Queen Z. Completing the top six was Clem McMahon and Carneyhaugh Unison, when they finished as the fastest four-faulter in a time of 45.95.

Luisa a speedy winner

In the six-year-old final, 22 booked their spot in the final round and six delivered double clears. Taking the win was Ballypatrick Stables rider Leah Stack, when she partnered the Lisa Cawley-owned Luisa to a clear in 42.18. Bred by the late Dr Noel Cawley, the mare is by Luidam and out of the Flexible-sired Lexi Lady.

“That is the first time I have clocked her that much before Dublin and she stepped up and was brilliant,” commented Stack.

“The facilities are amazing here, the grass is second to none.”

Jason Foley and the Abdullah Waleed Al Sharbatly-owned Ballyshan B F Super Hero put in a very fast clear of 42.22, but it wasn’t enough to catch the winner. Max Foley’s clear aboard the Bravo Hughes-owned HHS Arezzo in a time of 45.66 saw him take third. Not content with third, he also secured fourth place with Marion Hughes’ HHS Kingston, clear in 46.50.

Lucy Gibson and Lady Catoki claimed fifth place in a time of 47.16. Shane Moloney and the Richard Bourns-owned Ardkyle Reilly secured sixth place when clear in 50.49.

A field of 29 contested the final on Sunday and, from those, 20 delivered double clears to divide the prize fund of £2,500.