VICTORY in the Gain/Alltech Grand Prix last Sunday at Charleville went to Anthony O’Regan. First to go in the four-way jump-off aboard Helsinki, the Kerry rider lodged the only double clear in a time of 45.12 seconds.

Owned by Rachel Moloney and bred by Nissen Christian Bernh, Helsinki is a nine-year-old mare by Connor out of the Quirado-sired Dana I. The mare is relatively new to this level, having been produced up through the grades from a five-year-old by O’Regan.

Speaking after the win, O’Regan said: “It’s always hard going first to be honest, so the plan was to try and get a second clear round. It rained on Saturday and the ground was testing.

“She has jumped this level a few times and, on this occasion, I pushed her a bit, and thankfully it paid off. I would like to thank the owners, Rachel Moloney from Holmoak Stables, for giving the ride of the horse.”

Liam O’Meara proved that the time could be beaten, when he clocked 44.01 with the stallion Sir Jim Jim, but it came at a price, as he finished with four faults for second place. The combination also took third place in the Munster Grand Prix the day before. Bred by O’Meara, the nine-year-old stallion is by Boherdale Clover out of the Errigal Flight mare Glenaguile Flight. The dam was campaigned by O’Meara up to 1.35m and, over the course of her career, accumulated over 300 SJI points.

Placed fourth in the Munster Grand Prix the day before, Andrew Hodgins was looking for another good result, as he took it on with Sandra. The combination beat the time, clocking 44.69, but again a pole on the floor saw him take third place. Owned by Hodgins, the 14-year-old mare is by Lux Z out of Thornhill Sandy (Sandro Boy).

Slotting into fourth place was the 2023 National Young Rider Champion Robyn Moran on Cushlas Fryday. They came home with four faults in a time of 44.97. This was the second good result for this pair, who took second place in the Munster Grand Prix behind Tadhg Beecher and Loughnatousa Olaf. Owned by Vera Griffin and bred by John Peter Finlay, the 10-year-old gelding is by Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve.

Fastest of the four-faulters in the first round in a time of 62.51 was Andrew Hodgins and the eight-year-old Shanaclough Luichew (Luidam x Coolcornan Wood), owned by John Glynn and bred by Jill Twomey. They took fifth place.

Robyn Moran also returned to the line-up, taking sixth place with Fortside Farm’s Fortside Clever Candy (Sligo Candy Boy x Lux Z), with four faults in a time of 74.57.

1.25m

Winner of the 1.25m earlier in the day was Andrew Hodgins aboard Eleanor O’Dea’s five-year-old Canzaro, when double clear in 29.56. Anthony O’Regan also featured in this line-up, finishing second with the Jackie Moloney’s seven-year-old Chad (0/0 31.23).

Junior rider Daisy McNamara took third with Caspetito Z (0/4 28.76), ahead of Robyn Moran and Fortside Big Bucks (0/4 30.90).