CHARLEVILLE Agricultural Show in Co Cork played host to the second Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix in last weekend’s double header, taking place on Sunday with a disappointing field of just 15 combinations battling it out for the generous €4,000 prize fund on offer.

Taking the win was Waterford rider Jack O’Donohue when he partnered RNH Valentino to the fastest of six clears in 35.52. It was a good weekend for this combination, picking up sixth place the day before in the Connolly’s Red Mills/Munster Region 1.35m Grand Prix.

Owned by Raymond McChesney, the eight-year-old gelding was bred by Normand Hammond and is by Van Gogh out of the Beach Ball mare RNH Beach Ball. Speaking after the win, O’Donohue said: “I was delighted to take the win today. This was the horse’s first National Grand Prix so it was a good way to start. He is a really nice horse and I am excited about his future.

“Francis Connors produced him from a five-year-old and I recently took over the ride after returning from Europe where I was working. I am lucky that Francis is giving me a hand with him and it’s working out very well. Tony Hurley set a nice track and it was great to see the crowds around the arena watching the show jumping. The plan will be to hopefully qualify for the RDS and follow the National Grand Prix League,” he added.

Placed second the day before in the Connolly’s Red Mills/Munster Region 1.35m Grand Prix, Andrew Hodgins repeated this performance, taking another runner-up place with his own home-bred Sandra, when he came home clear in 36.53. Sandra is a 13-year-old mare by Lux Z out of the Sandro Boy- sired Thornhill Sandy.

Paul Beecher also maintained a clean sheet with Glamstone (Berlin x Sydney), clocking 37.29 for third place. Owned by Paul’s wife Seryna Van Kuelen, the 12-year-old gelding was bred by W. Nijzing.

Orla Queally and Gentleman-Time put their first points on the leaderboard when finishing fourth in the round at Cork. They added to their tally this weekend when they took another fourth place finish clear in 39.43.

Andrew Hodgins was back in the line-up, taking fifth with the seven-year-old Shanaclough Luichew when clear in 41.70. Owned by John Glynn and bred by Jill Towmey, the gelding is by Luidam out of Cailin Leathsli (Coolcornan Wood). This is the second impressive result for this pairing having finished fifth in the 1.30m SJI Summer Series in Garranemore.

Last of the double clears in 43.07 and slotting into sixth place was Sarah Connell and Gliding Light. Owned by Clare Connell and bred by Michael Griffin, the eight-year-old mare is by Aganix Du Seigneur out of the Harlequin Du Carel mare Rosgreen Queen.