Captain Michael Kelly proved on form this week when taking back-to-back wins in the TRM/Horseware Premier Series. Victorious in Balmoral (Wednesday) with Ringwood Glen, Kelly repeated this feat with the VDL Arkansas-sired gelding in Sunday’s €12,000 Tattersalls Grand Prix kindly sponsored by Friends of Rolestown.
Six riders found the key to the Tom Holden built course to return to the jump-off on a zero score, while four others made the grade for a ten horse decider. With Kelly as the fastest of the faultless rounds he ensured pole position as the last rider to take on the shortened and raised course.
Kelly was one of only five combinations to deliver a double clear on the day and guaranteed the win when stopping the clock at 39.35, over two seconds faster than his nearest rival Dean Rogan aboard Falco Van Spieveld.
Kelly confirmed his selection for the Dublin Horse Show earlier in the week and certainly looks well on target for the five-star show at this point. A top-three finish in the Vichy Grand Prix previewed what was to come this week while Kelly is ultimately aiming for the Dublin Grand Prix with Ringwood Glen.
Rogan is another rider to have featured consistently at Balmoral, finishing as runner-up in the National Grand Prix as well as taking a top six finish in the Premier Series. Rogan, logging a time of 42.02 at the midway point of the clocked round with the Toulon-sired Falco Van Spieveld, looked set to claim his first Premier Series before being relegated to the runner-up position.
Frank Curran made a solid attempt at Rogan’s then leading time with New World but proved just off the mark when across the line in 43.34. This would hold for eventual third place. Damien Griffin, on form when sixth the previous day, ensured he finished higher in the line-up on this occasion with Tabby breaking the beams in 45.36.
Edward Doyle was the only other rider to supply a double clear on the day. Doyle, partnering Mullaghdrin Touch the Stars, took the cautious approach recording a sedate time of 51.39 which paid dividends when later confirmed as one of the three riders to gain qualification for the internationals at the Dublin Horse Show.
John McLaughlin and Alexander Butler were the other two riders to be confirmed on the day with Butler securing his place when finishing sixth. Coming back to the jump-off carrying a single time penalty with Monastery Stud More Pleasure, Butler kept a clean sheet on his second time out in a time of 49.23.
TRM/Horseware Premier Series Grand Prix League National Tattersalls Show 26th July 2015 Result July 2015 Result
Sponsored by the Friends of Rolestown
- Captain Michael Kelly Ringwood Glen 0/0 39.35
- Dean Rogan Falco Van Spieveld 0/0 42.02
- Frank Curran New World 0/0 43.34
- Damien Griffin Tabby 0/0 45.36
- Edward Doyle Mullaghdrin Touch the Stars 0/0 51.39
- Alexander Butler Monastery Stud More Pleasure 1/0 49.23