Tholm Keane claimed the victory in the penultimate round of the TRM/Horseware New Heights Champions Series with BMH Big Time at the Meadows EC. Having finished as the runner-up in the previous day’s National Grand Prix, Keane ensured he came out on top on this occasion when supplying the only double clear in the €10,000 class.
Only three combinations from the starting 26 made it through to the seven strong jump-off on a zero score. Keane taking full advantage of the seeded draw logged a fault free round in a time of 44.99 which would prove to be unbeatable.
Sired by Luidam, BMH Big Time is out of the Cavalier Royale dam Majestic Cavalier. Produced by Keane, the eight-year-old stallion has shown promise throughout his career. Representing Ireland at the 2016 World Breeding Championships in Lanaken, BMH Big Time gained valuable experience up to 1.50m level at the same venue earlier this season and came home to make easy work of stepping up to national Grand Prix level.
A top six finish at Barnadown was quickly followed up by a top ten finish in the New Heights Champions Series round at Ballinsloe. The combination has continued to impress throughout the season featuring in the national league on no less than five occasions including a victory at Galway County Show.
Nicholas Butler showcased the shortest route around the jump-off course with Vimminka when the clock showed 41.25 but finished with a single error. This would however prove good enough for second place on the day finishing off a good weekend after taking third place in Saturday’s National Grand Prix.
Butler has been on form in the Series featuring as runner-up in Tattersalls, taking fourth place at National Balmoral, sixth place in the opening round at Louth County and putting points on the board when just outside the top six at Ballinasloe.
Dermot Lennon filled the next two places in the line-up. Coming forward to the timed decider on a zero score with the Andiamo-sired Vampire, Lennon added one fence to his tally to finish on four faults in a time of 43.05.
One of the fastest four faulters in the first round with Calgot Hero, Lennon and the 11-year-old son of Liscalgot were the only other combination to negotiate the second round faultlessly, keeping their score to four faults in 47.70.
Stacey Babes had come forward to the timed decider carrying only a single time penalty with Camillo VDL however despite taking the cautious route and recording 49.00 the pair incurred four faults.
Rebecca McGoldrick rounded out the top six with Horatio Van Erpekom faulting on one occasion each round, logging 42.16 on the clock.
Greg Broderick continues to hold the top spot on the leader board heading into the final round of the New Heights Champions Series which will take place on the 2nd of September at the Irish Breeders Classic Show at Barnadown.
TRM/Horseware New Heights Championship Series the Meadows EC 20th August 2017 Result
- Tholm Keane BMH Big Time 0/0 - 44.99
- Nicholas Butler Vimminka 0/4- 41.25
- Dermot Lennon Vampire 0/4 - 43.05
- Dermot Lennon Calgot Hero 4/0 - 47.70
- Stacey Babes Camillo VDL 1/4 - 49.00
- Rebecca McGoldrick Horatio Van Erpekom 4/4 - 42.16
- Hannah Patterson Daberlina 4/8 - 41.89
- Greg Broderick Chinook 11 4(73.60)
- Francis Connors Erne Ladygoldilocks 4(73.69)
- Cormac Rafferty KMR Benzini 4(74.86)