Jonathan Smyth continued his winning recent good show of form, as he went on to secure a victory in the 1.35m SJI Autumn Grand Prix in Portmore on Saturday. Riding James Mckean’s Cafre Olympic Dream, he was fastest of just four double clears in a time of 33.53 in the six-way jump-off. Last weekend, Smyth had claimed victory in the 1.40m SJI Autumn Grand Prix at Cavan aboard Charlton Clio.
Bred by CAFRE, the eight-year-old mare, is by Mermus R and out of the Concorde (KWPN) sired dam, ISHD First Light. This is the second impressive result for this combination of late, having also won the Ulster Grand Prix in the Meadows in September.
County Down rider, Yvonne Whiteside answered all the questions with her own Ecclesville, but crossed the line marginally slower than the winner in a time of 33.58 for second place.
Brendan Murphy added to his record sheet, when he delivered a clear with Alan Roberston’s Immun Ocean Ogara, in a time of 34.56 for third. Not content with third, Murphy also accounted for eventual fourth, when he was last of the double clears with the Sandra Duffy owned, Farna D’or, in 37.74 seconds. This combination has also been in the winnings of late, having claimed the 1.35m SJI Autumn Grand Prix at Cavan last weekend.
Sven Hadley put in a very fast round with Alan Briscoe’s Neat Midnight Magic, clocking 36.40, but four faults would see them take fifth place.
MacKenzie Healy and Domar Van De Neerheide slotted into sixth place in the line-up, when they crossed the line with eight faults in 39.13.
** Horse Sport Ireland Autumn Development Series **
On Sunday, victory in the HSI Autumn Development Grand Prix belonged to County Down rider, John McEntee. Riding Tim O’ Shea’s CSF Vinze, he was fastest of just three double clears in a time of 33.62 and as a result took home the winner’s share of the £6,000 on offer.
Bred by Patrick Connolly, Co. Galway, the nine-year-old gelding is by Luidam and out of the Cruising sired dam, CSF Telly Cruise. This gelding is no stranger to success have clocked up a series of impressive results with Joan Greene, from the young horses’ classes right up to the New Height Series and on the European circuit.
In total 26 went to post and of those, six booked a place in the jump-off.
Frank Curran and the Cliodhna Breen owned Ardragh Chekoff, were only fractions behind the winner, in 34.87 for second place.
Winner of the round in Kernans, Philip Gaw was back in the line-up, this time taking third place. Riding Derek Gaw’s Ardnacashel Coovella, he lodged the last of the clears in 47.61.
Kenneth Graham opted for the safer lines with his own Beir Bua, but despite this, four faults in 50.12 would mean that he would have to contend with fourth place on this occasion.
Graham wasn’t too disappointed however, as he also took fifth place with the William Lapsley owned George after he opted to retired in the second round.
Although Brendan Murphy failed to book a place in the timed round having incurred a single time fault, he picked up another share of the lucrative prize fund when he finished in sixth place with Sandra Duffy’s Farno D’or.
