Sven Hadley claimed his first Grand Prix of the season, winning the Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix at Bannow and Rathangan with his own Sumas Taloubet, when clear in 38.01.

Delighted with the win, Hadley said: “I knew that it was going to be a very competitive class as there was some very experience combinations through to the jump-off. I had seen a few others go and I knew that I would have to take a few chances. Suma is quick against the clock, and the daring gallop to the last helped me make up the time”.

Second to go in the class, Paddy O’Donnell and The Best Of Quality faulted at the first part of the double, but their time of 40.11 saw them finished in sixth place. Bred by Geraldine Digby and owned by Vivienne Quigley, the eight-year-old gelding is by Quality Safari and out of the Master Imp-sired dam, Impress.

The first double clear was delivered by, Jason Higgins and Api Des Champs in a time of 43.75, for eventual third. Higgins’ lead held only temporarily as Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise followed Higgins into the arena and set a new time to beat of 39.37. This proved difficult to beat and Hopkins finished second.

Owned by Leo Carey, Numero Cruise is a 10-year-old stallion, by Numero Uno and out of the Cruising sired dam, Ms Cruise. Earlier in the day, Hopkins won the Pettitt’s Novice class aboard Latte Macchiato. Bred by Michael Kelly and owned by Ballywalter Stables, the six-year-old gelding is by Pacino and out of the Boherdeal Clover sired dam, Torboy Lady.

Last to go in the Grand Prix, Liam O’ Meara opted for safer lines with the stallion Oldtown Kc and a clear in 44.81, saw him finish behind Higgins in fourth place.

Returning with his second mount Lucy Penny, Paddy O’ Donnell once again proved out of luck as he had one down, but his time of 35.47 saw him slot into fifth.

Cork

On Saturday, Alan O’ Regan and Freedam recorded their second Grand Prix victory this season at the Cork Summer Show, having previously claimed victory in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix in Charleville. The combination were the fastest of four double clears in 40.06.

Shane Goggins and Wrangler II followed closely behind, when clocking 40.86. Thomas O’Brien accounted for the next two placings. He delivered his best result with his own Montreal Van De Kleinheide, when clocking 40.99 for third. Bred by Dakwerken Janssens Frans, this seven-year-old Belgian-bred gelding is by Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve and out of the Clinton-sired gelding, Eclinta Van Den Bosrand.

Another clear with Scarlet Quality in 41.31 saw O’ Brien take fourth. Owned by Aoife McCabe, the eight-year-old Belgian bred mare is by Sandro Boy and out of the Contender-sired dam, Contessa.

Francis Connors and Clair Du Lune incurred two-time faults, when clocking 52.05 for fifth. Raphael Jnr Lee was fastest of the four faulters with Kashino in 37.65 for sixth.

New Heights

On Sunday In the TRM/HSI New Heights Champions Series at Cork Summer Show victory went to Jack Brennan and MHS Jersey Girl (ISH). The pair were one of only two double clears and posted the winning time of 48.18. Bred and owned by Sinead Byrne from Kilkenny, the eight-year-old gelding is by Cardento and out of MHS Prime Time (Quidam Junior 1).

Edward Doyle Jnr and Billy Guilder finished second in a time of 51.71. This 10-year-old gelding was bred by Donal Barnwell and is own by Gina Prescott, he is by Billy Congo and out of the Cavalier-sired dam, Dollar Day.

Nano Healy finished on a single time fault with his own KMS Clintland in 63.36 for third. Bred by Ivor Broderick the 12-year-old stallion is by Clinton and out of Uganna (Corland).

Thomas O’Brien was back in the ribbons, finishing fourth with Paciro, carrying four faults in 49.61. Fastest of the four faulters in the first round in 77.95, Thomas O’Brien finished fifth with Scarlet Quality. Sven Hadley added to his week’s tally when he finished fifth with Sumas Taloubet, when completing the first round on four faults in 78.07.