THE five/six-year--old GBBS International-sponsored consolation class saw 65 combinations battle it out for the lucrative prize fund of €5,000. Brendan Murphy was back in the line-up, this time taking the win with the Langara Ventures-owned Gracefield Apollo when they were fastest of the 13 double clears in a time of 30.18.

Bred by Barry McCann, the gelding is by Luidam out of the Coriall-sired dam Rebecca. The gelding is normally campaigned by owner Nicola FitzGibbon and jumped at last month’s Dublin Horses Show, but Murphy took over the ride after Nicola broke her leg in a freak fall at home earlier in the week. Happily, she was there to see their victory.

Young rider Katie Power was just over a second behind with Starfield Brighteye, stopping the clock in a time of 31.25. Owned by Powers Equine, the gelding is by Luidam out of the Vivaldo van het Costerveld-sired Starfield Primavera.

Eddie Moloney also returned to the line-up, taking third with his mother Ann’s home-bred Twain Flight, when they crossed the line in a time of 31.46. The six-year-old mare is by Luidam out of the Mark Twain-sired Ashtown Cavalier.

Fellow Kilkenny rider James Brennan and MHS Versace followed closely behind, coming home in a time of 31.54 for eventual fourth. Owned by Sinead Brennan and bred by Thomas Brennan, the six-year-old mare is also by Luidam and is out of the OBOS Quality-sired mare MHS California.

Local rider Patrick Byrne accounted for fifth place when he partnered his own five-year-old Belline Castle Onr Candy to a clear in 32.50. Bred by Noel Ruane, the gelding is by Sligo Candy Boy and is out of Castle Roller Coaster.

Emma O’Dwyer and the six-year-old Dougie Drea completed the top six, when they stopped the clock in a time of 33.78. Owned by Dwyer and Heather Blair, the six-year-old gelding was bred by Victoria Foster and is by Ard VDL out of Rainbows and Butterflys.

Seven/eight-year-olds

Winner of the seven/eight-year-old consolation class was Ethen Ahearne when he was fastest of the double clears in 35.02 with the Dermot Walsh-owned seven-year-old LVS Goldrush. Bred by Heritage Bloodstock, the gelding is by Stakkato Gold out of the Stakkato-sired Arcadia LVS Z. The combination was unlucky to have a single time fault in the first qualifier, but went on to deliver a double clear in the second qualifier.

Young rider Annelies Loose and the eight-year-old Folly Stuff opted for the safer lines and it paid off as they came home with nothing to add in a time of 39.73. Owned by Jea Quigley and bred by Eric Lamaze, the mare is by Cornet Obolensky and out of the Darco-sired, Hot Stuff.

Fellow young rider Matthew Morrison and the seven-year-old Quebec DE accounted for third, when clear in 41.99.

Shane Moloney was fastest of the four-faulters with HHS Disney (ISH) in a time of 33.08 for eventual fourth. Owned by Helen O’Regan and John Hoyne, the Marion Hughes-bred mare is by Diamant de Semilly out HHS Fortuna (Heritage Fortunes).

Francis Connors also proved out of luck as he crossed the line with four faults with the eight-year-old Rose Marie in a time of 33.42 for fifth place. Bred by her owner Claire Mc Donnell, the eight-year-old mare is by Diamant De Semily out of the Cruising mare Mo Chroi.

Aoife McCabe and the eight-year-old Heritage Enigma, crossed the line carrying four faults in a time of 34.03 for sixth place. Owned by Kevin McCabe and bred by Anne-Marie O’Gorman, the mare is by Eldorado van de Zeshoek out of the Claudi-sired dam, Canturo.