21 Jul Daren Hopkins claims Mervue victory in Tattersalls
It was a well worth journey from the West of the country for Daren Hopkins as he led the victory lap in the 1.35m at Tattersalls Ireland Show. Riding the Leo Carey owned Kan Cruise he lodged the winning round of clear in 41.70. Bred by John Carey, the ten-year-old gelding is by Kannan and is out of the Cruising sired dam, Ms Cruise.
Despite adverse weather there was a good turnout for this class with 25 going to post and from those five double clears were delivered.
Winner of the round in Bannow and Rathangan, Taylor Peare added to her tally as she took second place with Lissyegan Geoffrey, when fractions behind in a time of 41.76.
Michelle Kenny and Mohill Rosetta took the longer lines and it paid off as they came home clear in 44.44 for third place.
Jackilynn Breslin and Calle Cool were less than a second behind in a time of 45.05 for eventual fourth.
The last of the double clears was delivered by Michael Coulter and Isaro Du Vignoble in 51.49 for fifth place.
Junior rider Alexandra Hourigan put in a very fast round with the seven-year-old Cuffesgrange Caballus, clocking 40.80. This came at a price however as she had one on the floor for sixth place.
1.20m
In the 1.20m a total of 52 combinations battled it out in the two phase special. With a high standard contesting this penultimate round, 19 lodged double clears. Taking the win was Barry Griffin and SBH Diamond in the Rough, when they stopped the clock in at time of 31.14.
Ruairí Aylward added valuable points to his leaderboard tally when he filled the runner-up spot. Riding the eight-year-old Clonagoose Sky Bouncer, he came home 32.63. Gerard Clarke kept all the poles in place with the eight-year-old Castleforbes Fedora in 33.77 for third place. Marie Hartley has been a real contender in this league and she put more points on the board when she took fourth with Scarthill Vendi, clocking 33.78. Fellow amateur rider Olwyn Alexander (AA) opted for the safer lines with Faline and she came home clear in 35.10 for fifth place. Completing the top six was Rachel Moore and the seven-year-old Ballymacbrennan Merdios, clear in 35.68.
1.10m
The 1.10m attracted the biggest entry with 64 combinations going to post. Marie Hartley struck again as she took the win with Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, delivering a clear in 29.78. Almost two seconds behind was fellow amateur rider Leonie Dunne (A) and Cavalino 26 in a time of 32.58 for second. Amateur rider Ashley O’ Sullivan (A) and the eight-year-old Carrighshawn Doctro followed closely behind, clocking 33.01 for third place. A clear from Emma Jackson and Kylestone Cashel put in a gallant attempt, but a clear in 33.91 proved only good enough for evenual fourth. Not content with fourth, Jackson also accounted for fifth place with the eight-year-old Vanderbitt, when she put in another foot-perfect round in 33.93. Young rider, Halle Crowe kept the poles in place with her own five-year-old, SVS Riverstown Aftershock, in a time of 38.92 for sixth place.