THE Mervue Equine Leinster Tour continued last weekend with over 200 entries competing in the round at Tattersalls July Show. In the 1.35m, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, 38 combinations battled it out for the €2,000 on offer in the two-phase class. Out of the original starters, 12 delivered double clears.

Taking the win was Nicole Kershaw and Miss Valent when she crossed the line in a time of 26.16. Owned by Lisa Rosbotham, Miss Valent is by Valent out of the John Henry-sired Miss Siss. This combination recently claimed the runner-up place in the 1.30m at National Balmoral.

Winner of the round at Inistioge, Daniel McAlinden also remained within the 26-second marker with AHG Whiterock Doctor Cruise, crossing the line in 26.60 for second place. Not content with the win, Kershaw also took third place with Clovalent when she came home in 27.41 seconds Emily Turkington played it safe with the seven-year-old Cissi and a clear in 30.32 saw her come home with a clean sheet in 30.32. Camilla Speirs was only a half second slower with Ogue BT Special, clocking 31.07 for fifth place, while young rider Eoin Brennan and Eskola M completed the top six, clear in 31.57.

Huge entry

There was a huge entry for the 1.10m division of the tour, with 93 combinations battling it out for the €300 on offer. Leading the victory lap was Emma O’Connor when she partnered Quality Diamond to a clear in 29.45. This combination also featured in the line-up in Bannow and Rathangan as they claimed third place. Owned and bred by Aileen O’Connor, the eight-year-old mare is by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 out of the Coolcorron Cool Diamond-sired Coolrua.

The next four placings were filled by amateur riders. Fastest of those on zero faults was Lisa Doyle (AA) and Corland’s Clipper, crossing the line in 29.45. Kilkenny’s Marie Hartley (AA) is proving to be a dominant force in this league and she left nothing to spare as she accounted for the next two placings. She delivered her fastest round with Nikita Van Het Heidenhof in a time of 29.99 for third place.

She was only fractions behind with Scarthill Vendi in 31.12 for eventual fourth. Michael O’Neill opted for the longer lines with Hermes De Cavalier and clocked 32.86 for fifth place, ahead of young rider Patrick Doyle and the six-year-old Longhill Cruising in a time of 32.86.

1.20m division

Ever consistent in this league, Aileen McDermott struck again as she took the win in the 1.20m division. Riding Amber Balou, she galloped home with nothing to add in 28.38secs. Young rider Oisin Magee also kept the poles in place with Landslide AW, albeit in a slightly slower time of 28.98 for second place.

There was very little between the next placing as fellow young rider Marta Hughes Bravo and Miss Belgium posted 29.27 for third place. A clear from Victoria Clarke and Carrickview Flamenco in 30.34 ensured her fourth place, ahead of Catherine Dunphy and Eden who were fractions of a second slower, clocking 30.80. Shane Goggins’s decision to place it safe with Boleybawn Cayman saw him post a clear round in 33.15 for sixth place.