It was a well worth journey from Kilkenny to Omagh for Vincent Byrne this weekend as he took the win in the fifth round of the TRM/Horseware New Heights Champions Series at Omagh Show last weekend (1st June). Riding Hannibal V Overis Z, Byrne put in a impressive performance when he delivered the only double clear of the class in a time of 43.88 to take the winners share of the €10,000 on offer. Byrne and Hannibal V Overis Z have proved very consistent in the series, taking fifth place in Mullingar and fourth in Galway County. The result today was enough to place him on the top end of the leaderboard at this halfway point.
Owned by Martin Walsh, Hannibal V Overis Z is a 12-year-old Zangersheide stallion by Heartbreaker out of Aira. Under Byrne’s command for the last four years, the stallion has proved consistent at national grand prix level and on the international circuit. In 2015, they pairing took second place in the Premier Series at Omagh.
It was another nail-biting class with 27 combinations going to post. With the pressure on just seven returned to contest the second round.
Greg Broderick is certainly proving to be a dominate force in the series having won the opening round at Louth and then took the win and second place at Ballinasloe. The Tipperary rider added to his points tally this weekend when he took the runner-up place. Riding Molly Tracy’s Chinook 11, Broderick completed the two rounds on four faults in 40.64, which is enough to keep him on the top end of leaderboard. He also took fifth place aboard Gretchen Biedron’s Charmeur when he recorded four faults in 54.77 seconds. This was an important result for this combination as it means that they remain on top position of the leaderboard.
Following a very good Hickstead last week, Dermott Lennon returned home to put his first points on the board when he finished in third place. Riding Victoria Loane Gelvin's Touch, he was unlucky to have one down in the second round in a time of 41.13 seconds.
Winner of the round at Mullingar and second in Galway County, Clem Mcmahon made his presence felt when the slotted into fourth place with Hilton CMS Paparazzi. The combination had a pole on the floor in the second round, but a fast time of 42.94 saw him feature in the line-up.
Kenneth Graham added to his haul when he took sixth place with William Lapsley’s George IHB. On form after their National Grand Prix win the day before, the duo crossed the line carrying four faults in 55.68 seconds.
Stacy Babes and Quilimbo took seventh place in the line-up when they faulted twice in the second round in a time of 46.77 seconds.
Results
1st: Vincent Byrne/ Hannibal V Overis Z 0/0 (43.88)
2nd: Greg Broderick/Chinook 4/0 (40.64)
3rd:Dermot Lennon/Galvin's Touch 0/4 (41.13)
4th:Clem McMahon/ Hilton CMS Paparazzi 0/4 (42.94)
5th:Greg Broderick/Charmeur 0/4 (54.77)
6th:Kenneth Graham/George IHB 0/4 (55.68)
7th: Stacy Babes / Quilimbo 0/8 (46.77)
8th: Francis Connors/ERNE Ladygoldilocks (4) 83.44
9th:Clem McMahon/Hilton Pacific (4) 83.61
10th: Edward Doyle/Derryinver Luxury Cruise (4) 84.07