Captain Geoff Curran recorded his first win of the Horseware/TRM series yesterday (Tuesday 28th June) when he rode to victory in the Tattersalls Ireland and Ward Union Hunt sponsored Grand Prix at Tattersalls. Riding Shannondale Rahona he left his rival behind as he clocked the winning time of 39.53 seconds.
 
Bred by Peter Rice, Shannondale Rahona is a ten-year-old mare by Shannondale Sarco St. Ghyvan Z out of a Cavalier Royale sired mare, Cavalier Hill. Under Curran’s command, the combination had clocked up a series of results both at home and abroad, which includes second place in Galway County Grand Prix and a win in the Table A in Mullingar. Prior to this the pairing had a successful tour in Arezzo in the Toscana Tour CSI3*.                                   
 
One of the largest start-lists of the season, course designer Tom Holden had the job of setting the track for the 69 listed starters, which saw 10 combinations deliver clears in the first round.  Five combinations were denied their place in the jump-off when incurring a single time fault.
 
Little separated the first two placings as Alexander Butler crossed the line fractions behind with Vimminka in 39.87 seconds for second.
 
Following a good weekend at Charleville having won the Munster Grand Prix, Francis Connors was back in the line-up when he partnered Theoreme Du Desir to a clear in 40.87 for third.
 
John Floody made no mistakes with Mise Le Meas, but a slower time of 42.02 meant that he had to contend with fourth place on this occasion.
 
The Butler’s were back in the ribbons, this time it was the turn of Edward Butler who delivered a clear in 46.11 with Rincoola, which saw him slot into fifth place.
 
Galway’s Damien Griffin proved that he could beat the time as he clocked 37.93 with Tabby, but unfortunately it came at a price as he crossed the line carrying four faults, which later meant a sixth place finish for this combination. Griffin’s result does however mean that he has moved up to third place on the leaderboard heading into Omagh at the weekend.

Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix result from Tattersalls Ireland July Show

Sponsored by Tattersalls Ireland and Ward Union Hunt
 
1st Shannondale Rahona/Capt. G. Curran 0/0/39.53
2nd Vimminka/A. Butler 0/0/39.87
3rd Theoreme Du Desir/F. Connors 0/0/40.87
4th Mise Le Meas/J. Floody 0/0/42.02
5th Rincoola/E. Butler 0/0/46.11
6th Tabby/D. Griffin 0/4/37.93
 
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