A win aboard Mise Le Meas in the penultimate round of the GAIN Horse Feeds/ Alltech Autumn Grand Prix series at Wexford Equestrian saw John Floody re-take pole position on the leaderboard ahead of the final at Cavan this weekend.
The win meant Floody took home the winner’s share of the €3,000 in the Dublin Providers, Willie Mullins Racing and Talbot Hotel feature class. Although Floody goes into the final round on 34 points, little stands between those on the top end of the leaderboard and with points and half on offer at the final, the title is still very much up for grabs.
An eight-year-old gelding by Cruise On and out of Cissie Lady, Mise Le Meas has recorded two wins and one runner-up placing whilst also topping the horse leaderboard.
Delighted with the result, Floody said;“ The horse just jumped fantastic. He is a very consistent horse, but has been unlucky over the last few rounds. He was unlucky in Eglinton, as the last fence down in the jump-off cost us the win. It was good to have the advantage ahead of the final at Cavan next weekend, but it’s still all to play for and there isn’t a whole lot between myself and Cormac (Hanley).
Course designer, Alan Wade set the challenge for the 26 starters, which was later reduced to 11 for the jump-off. Triple handed in the jump-off, Francis Connors was first to go with Erne Ladygoldilocks. A clear in 40.93 saw them set the pace and later account for sixth place in the line-up.
Second to go with Blm Diamond Deluxe, international event rider Sarah Ennis had her eye on the win and she didn’t hang about and lowered the target to 38.79 seconds, which later proved good enough for eventual fifth.
Keen to make their presence felt, young riders Jenny Rankin and Anna Carway put in a strong bid to take the class. First to go of the two, Anna Carway set off in a calculated pace with Ajaccio and a clear in 37.83 saw her account for fourth place. Jenny Rankin also lodged a clear with Colorlands Cheyenne, in a slightly faster time of 37.77, which saw her take the lead and later third.
Returning with Capitol Cruise, Francis Connors opted to take a series of tight turns and it paid off as he lowered the target to 37.34 seconds.
Last to go, John Floody knew what he needed to do to take the lead from Connors. Setting off strong, Floody kept the pace, but it was in the turn back to the vertical at nine that saw him make up the time to cross the line in 36.08 to take the win and in the process demoting Connors to second place.
The final of this year’s GAIN/ Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League takes place next Friday the 6th of November at Cavan Equestrian Centre. GAIN Horse Feeds will be sponsoring the Grand Prix on the night which promises to be an exciting finale to what has been a very successful league.
The GAIN Horse Feeds team will be on hand all day Friday to answer any nutritional queries and will also be running a competition for a chance to win a GAIN Horse Feeds jacket and half a tonne of GAIN Horse feed of your choice.
Results Autumn Gain/ Alltech Grand Prix At Wexford Equestrian.
Sponsored by Dublin Providers, Willie Mullins Racing & Talbot Hotel
1st Mathew Birch Mise Le Meas (John Floody) 0/0 36.08
2nd Ian Smyth Capitol Cruis (Francis Connors) 0/0 37.34
3rd Richard Bourns Colorlands Cheyenne (Jenny Rankin) 0/0 37.77
4th Helen Carway Ajaccio (Anna Carway) 0/0 37.83
5th Sarah Ennis BLM Diamond Delux (Owner) 0/0 38.79
6th Hugh Fitzpatrick ERNE Lady Goldilocks (Francis Connors) 0/0 40.93