IT was good to see so many talented young horses coming to the forefront in a hot EI 110 class of 31 starters. The top five were all six-year-olds, and hard to better on the flat, it was the on form Amanda Goldsbury who took home the spoils.

This time the New Zealand-born rider teamed up with the mare Kincooley Candy Girl, and despite carrying four penalties from the show jumping, she remained ahead of Robbie Kearns aboard Belline Castle Fifty Seven, as well as Heidi Hamilton with Cavaliers Cruiz.

A daughter of Sligo Candy Boy out of Kilrainey Flight (Luidam), the winning mare was bred by Vincent Loftus, and having been bought from Damien Conway last year, recently won the Balmoral performance horse qualifier at Wexford Equestrian.

In second spot under Robbie Kearns, Belline Castle Fifty-Seven is another highly rated progeny of Sligo Candy Boy. Bred by Noel Ruane out of Skeheenarinky Lass (Harlequin du Carel), he was bought from Goresbridge as a four-year-old, and under former jockey Gillian Beale King was placed runner-up in the HSI Autumn development league (five-year-olds) last year. There are no plans to rush this youngster however, as owner Richard Ames confirmed, “We have lots of Sligo Candy Boys and all are a bit different. This one has needed time and nurturing and now we are benefitting from our patience.”

Completing the top three was Heidi Hamilton who is enjoying a successful new partnership with Daphne Ladley’s Cavalier Cruiz. A winner at Lisgarvan last month, this daughter of Cruising Ambassador added just 1.2 time penalties to an opening score of 30.3.