ALEX Finney continued her run of good form aboard L’Esprit Hero Z, when capturing the 1.40m Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix in Kernan’s last Saturday.

Owned by Eamon Bishop, the 13-year-old gelding is by Lexicon, out of Ikea Van’t Roosakker, by For Pleasure and was bred by Gerry Marron and Luc Henry.

Formerly ridden by Dermott Lennon, he has racked up some impressive results in 1.45m and 1.50m classes, but most recently recorded wins in two rounds of the 2024 Spring Tour, taking the top-spot in Portmore in April and, before that, at the round held in Kernan’s in March.

A student of Business and Economics in Trinity College, Finney lives close to Lennon’s yard and divides her time between Dublin and Banbridge, Co Down.

“We’re delighted with the win. I’m finished with college for the summer for the next four months, so will have much more time with the horses. I go back in September for another two years.

“The plan is to go to Mullingar international this weekend with my two horses (MHS Style and Absolutely Kingmar Z) and then go to the Royal Highland Show in Scotland at the end of June.

“I think we will also bring Stacey Watling’s seven-year-old Amazing Alf Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Heartbreaker) to Scotland.

“On Saturday, I had a very tight turn back to the third fence and then I think I took two strides out to the double; he has a very big stride, so it makes it quite easy. I’d say that’s where I made up the time.

“You can be very confident in him against the clock, because he’s very scopey and careful,” said Finney following the win.

Some 25 combinations lined out at the Co Armagh venue for the sixth round of the league. Just five managed to produce a first round clear to progress to the jump-off.

Catherine Thornton was pathfinder in the decider aboard David Campbell’s Derryinver Truffle, a gelding by Tornesch, out of the Cruising mare Icing.

They, once again, left all the poles in place, stopping the clock at 40.99 seconds - which would be good enough for eventual third place.

Second to go, Francis Derwin Jnr and a fairly recent addition to his string, the Belgian-bred Destina Du Mesnil Z (Dobel van’t Zorgvliet x Casco) also produced a second clear round, theirs coming in the faster time of 37.33 for the runner-up spot.

Junior Emily Moloney was next, riding her father Eddie and TSI Equestrian’s gelding Temple Alice (Foxglen Cruise Control x Rantis Diamond). They too posted a second round that was fault-free, breaking the finish beams in 43.66 for fourth place.

Eddie Moloney and Niall Greene’s home-bred 10-year-old gelding Damma Kannan Supreme (Kannan x Camiro De Haar Z) were the penultimate pair in. They were unlucky to have a single fence down for four faults, which relegated them to fifth place.

Finney had the advantage of being last to go with L’Esprit Hero Z. A second clear in a fast time of 35.50, well ahead of their closest rival, gave them the win and the Lion’s share of the €4,000 on offer.

Francis Derwin Jnr on Destina Du Mesnil Z, runners up in the 1.40m Gain Alltech National Grand Prix at Kernan Equestrian Centre, receiving his prize from Niall O'Neill, representing Gain Horse Feeds

1.30m Two-phase

Another from the Lennon stable, Victoria Loane’s eight-year-old Dutch-bred gelding Lord of the Rings BMH (Prince van de Wolfsakker x Canturo) was ridden to victory in the 1.30m two-phase by Sean Foley.

Of the 23 starters, an even dozen produced a double clear round over both phases. Foley was fastest of these in a time of 29.73 seconds.

Suzanne Posnett and Roisin Hughes’ Roxborough Euphoria (Camiro De Haar Z x Hallowed Turf) were runners-up in 29.92.

April McCrea and her own Black Pearl (Orestus x Ard VDL Douglas) took third place in 30.80.

Grand Prix winner Alex Finney and Stacey Watling’s seven-year-old Amazing Alf Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Heartbreaker) finished fourth, while fifth went to Brogen McCrum and her own Tailor Made For Me (O.B.O.S Quality 004 x Cavalier Royale).

Richard Smyth and Sylvia Craig’s CSF Rio (Quintero La Silla x Ards Vivendi) slotted into sixth place with Jonathan Smyth in the saddle.

1.20m Two-phase

Dermott Lennon won the 1.20m two-phase with his own and Gerry Marron’s eight-year-old home-bred stallion For Kinmar Hero Z (For Pleasure x Aganix du Seigneur). The pair crossed the finish line in a time of 28.14.

Eddie Moloney and Equinimity AMR’s seven-year-old Belgian mare Rosamund (Button Sitte x Landor S) were second in 28.31.

Bronte Stables’ eight-year-old Ensor Z (Echo van Meerenbosch x Argentinus) was guided to third place in 29.16 by Sean Foley.

Conor McEneaney and Linda Fahey’s six-year-old Ups Angelo (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Vechta) were fourth, while Zoe Connolly rode her own six-year-old Brockagh Field Cailin (Dakar VDL x Brocka Cruising Lucy) into fifth.

Suzanne Posnett and the Dutch-bred Foesuela (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Ultimo) completed the line up in sixth.