JONATHAN Smyth posted his first win on the 2022 Gain/Alltech leaderboard at Ard Chuain when fastest of only three double clears with Mulvin Lights Out. The Tyrone rider has now moved to the top end of the overall leaderboard on 27 points. Although this was their first victory in the league, they have proved very consistent taking fourth in the opening round at The Meadows, second at Cavan Equestrian and seventh in the leg at Kernans Equestrian.
Afterwards Smyth said: “I am delighted with the win here today. This is his second year jumping in Grands Prix and it is his first win at this level. It finished off what was a really good day for me as I also finished third in the six-year-old Studbook series with CSF Rio. We got a good shot to the third vertical and got the inside turn. We missed the inside turn to the vertical at five but we were able to keep moving and he is quick over the ground. I went steady for the double and then kept going to the last vertical. Thankfully he tried hard and he stayed careful the whole way around. The plan is to take in the round at Omagh, which is my local show.”
The 10-year-old gelding was bought by Smyth’s father at Goresbridge and he is now co-owned by the Smyths and Roy Craig. By Kroongraaf, he is out of the Diamond Serpent-sired Diamond Vicky. It was a well worthwhile trip for Smyth as he also claimed third place in the Mullins Sporthorses 1.35m Connaught Grand Prix the day before with Mulvin Lights Out.
Competitive
A total of 29 combinations took on the Paul Duffy-designed course, and from those seven booked their place in the jump-off. The track began with an oxer, then right to the second oxer and back to the third vertical. Following the vertical at five, this was followed by a double (vertical-oxer) and then finished with the HSI vertical.
First to go, Nicholas Butler played it safe with the Tom Jones-owned stallion Carrick Kilderrys Diamond. All was going well for the Co Meath rider until he faulted at the vertical at five and crossed the line in a time of 51.39 for sixth place. Bred by James Mangan the 11-year-old is by Carrick Diamond Lad out of the Cruising-sired Kilderry Cruise. This combination recently won the Mervue Equine Leinster Tour at Ballivor.
Next to go with Clovalent, Nicole Kershaw maintained a good pace throughout the course, but her hopes of a win were dashed when she faulted at the first part of the double and came home in a time of 49.73, which would see her finish one place ahead of Butler. Owned by Keonan stables and bred by Mary McCann, this eight-year-old mare is by Valent out of the Cruising-sired Cruising May Clover. This combination has proved very consistent, claiming The Orthoderm Clinic 1.35m Championship at Balmoral International.
The lead changed hands as Cian Harrison delivered the first double clear of the class. Riding Tabby, he clocked 44.96 to temporarily take the lead.
Owned by Harrision, Tabby, is a 17-year-old gelding bred by Pam Donaghy and is by Captain Clover out of Majestic Cruise.
Aoife McCabe proved out of luck when she faulted at the third vertical with Mona Lisa Quality, but a fast time of 49.48 saw her take fourth place.
Owned by McCabe, the 10-year-old Belgian Bred mare is by Nabab de Reve out of Havanna De La Vie. This is the second placing for this combination in the National Grand Prix league, having claimed third in the round at Galway.
Winner of the round at Kernans, Luke Campbell took to the course with Derryinver Truffle. Although Derryinver Truffle took a big jump over the first, they managed to get a good line back to the second vertical. Campbell maintained this pace and came home clear in a time of 46.76 for eventual third.
This was an important result for the Antrim rider as an extra seven points moved him to the top end of the leaderboard where he has clocked up a total of 27 points. Owned by David Campbell the 10-year-old gelding is by Tornesch out of the Cruising-sired Icing.
Last to go, the pressure was on Jonathan Smyth as he took to the course with Mulvin Lights Out.
He set off strong and a series of tight lines along with a daring gallop to the last saw him clock the winning time of 44.66 secs and in the process demote Harrison and Tabby into second place.
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