Meath native, Alexander Butler put his first points on the Horseware/TRM Premier Series leaderboard yesterday (29th June) as he rode to victory in the €10,000 Sam Dennigan & Co and Friends of Rolestown sponsored Premier series.

Third to go in the second round riding Caroline Byrne’s stallion Hallowberry Cruz, Butler recorded the winning round clear in 41.93 seconds. Not content with the win, Butler returned later in the class with Michael Leddy’s Monastery Stud More Pleasure and crossed the line carrying four faults in 44.33 for eventual sixth place.

Hallowberry Cruz is a ten-year-old stallion by Cruising out of the Clover Hill mare Calcutta Clover. Under Butler’s command, the stallion has an impressive record which includes a third place in the final of the Premier Series at the Meadows last year, second in Premier Series in Balmoral and a win at the Premier Series at Louth County in 2015. Earlier this year, the pairing clocked up a series of good results while on International duty.                                                                                              

Winner of the Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix the day before, Captain Geoff Curran clearly had his eye on another win. This time, riding Ringwood Glen he was almost two seconds behind the winner when he crossed the line with nothing to add in 43.82 seconds for the runner-up spot. Curran won’t be too disappointed however as the result was enough to move him into pole position on the leaderboard going into the next round at Omagh this weekend.

Francis Connors who has also being having a good run of late returned to make his presence felt as he partnered Mary Ann Papp’s nine-year-old gelding, Theoreme Du Desir to a clear in 44.58 seconds for third. New to the Connors stable, this is the first Premier Series for this combination.

Mervyn Clarke negotiated all the tight lines with Aramis 573 and he proved that he could better the leaders time, but he paid heavily for it, as he crossed the line carrying four faults in 42.44 seconds for eventual fourth.

Similarly Jordan Coyle didn’t hang about with Colour Blue, but again four faults in a time of 43.45 dashed his hopes of a win and his time saw him finish just behind Clarke in the line-up.

Horseware/ TRM Premier Grand Prix Series result from Tattersalls Ireland July Show

Sponsored by Sam Dennigan & Co and Friends of Rolestown

1st Hallowberry Cruz/Alexander Butler 0/0/41.93

2nd Ringwood Glen/Capt. G Curran 0/0/43.82

3rd Theoreme Du Desir/F. Connors 0/0/44.58

4th Aramis 573/M. Jnr Clarke 0/4/42.44

5th Colour Blue/J. Coyle 0/4/43.45

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