Liam O’Meara put his first points on the board in the Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League with a win in Maryville with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Fligh. O’Meara proved fastest in a nine-way decider to take the honours in Sunday’s €2,000 feature kindly sponsored by Maryville Stables.
O’Meara, one of two riders to make it through to the jump-off with more than one mount, made the most of his second chance against the clock setting an unbeatable standard of a double clear round in a time of 41.25 seconds.
O’Meara and the eight-year-old Jacomar-sired Curraghgraigue Jack Take Fligh have been active all season in the 1.35m Connolly's Red Mills Munster Grand Prix league and also featured in the rounds of the National Grand Prix league at South County Dublin Show, Charleville and Cavan. Most recently the pair finished second in the Snaffles Indoor Derby at the Cavan Indoor Championships.
O’Meara also secured fifth position in the line-up with Mr. Coolcaum. The Co. Tipperary rider had played pathfinder with the Coolcaum Hill-sired gelding, recording 45.88.
Jamie Landers had set the earlier time to beat with Lady Georgina Forbes 12-year-old mare Castleforbes Coleen. Third in the ring, Landers took every shortcut to secure the blue rosette when stopping the clock at a faultless 42.24. Landers was the only other rider to make it through double handed and finished just outside the top six with his second mount Isora Van De Wolfsgracht.
Tholm Keane came close behind Landers. Riding the Flipper D’Elle-sired Delano W, Keane was fractions off Landers pace when the clock showed 42.65.
The times drifted wide of the 43-second mark for the lower placings. Jessica Burke however was next fastest with CC Captain Cruise across the line in 44.25 while completing the placings was Francis Connors with the more sedate time of 51.26 aboard Centolina RB.
Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League Maryville 9th October 2016 Full Result
Sponsored by Maryville Stables
- Curraghgraigue Jack Take Fligh Liam O’Meara 0/0 41.25
- Castleforbes Coleen Jamie Landers 0/0 42.24
- Delano W Tholm Keane 0/0 42.65
- CC Captain Cruise Jessica Burke 0/0 44.25
- Mr. Coolcaum Liam O’Meara 0/0 45.88
- Centolina RB Francis Connors 0/0 51.26