Smyth and Power record doubles

It was yet another busy week for Grand Prix riders with the National Balmoral Championships on Wednesday and the Tattersalls July Show last weekend.

Balmoral Grand Prix

Jonathan Smyth recorded a double when he won the Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix on Wednesday and the TRM/HSI New Heights Champion Series on the Thursday.

In the National Grand prix, Smyth and Charlton Clio were fastest of the three double clears in a four-way jump-off. This combination have proved consistent in the series, finishing second in the opening round at the Meadows, fourth at Portmore and sixth at Galway.

Bred by Peter Mulrine and owned by Richard Smyth, Charlton Clio (ISH) is a 13-year-old mare by HHS BR Charlton out of Admiran Clio (Clover Hill).

Winners of the round at Omagh, Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Galloway added to their tally finishing second. Jessica Burke and the eight-year-old Greenvale Draco aired on the side of caution posting a slower time of 48.59 to finish third.

Owned by Burke, the stallion is by Voltaire and out of Orsina (Dick Z). Burke, who is also a secondary school teacher, has produced him from 90cm to 1.30m. Last month they finished fifth in the eight-year-old RDS qualifier in Mullingar.

Runners up in the Clonmel Grand Prix, Eddie Moloney and Andiamix Hero Z were back in the ribbons, when they crossed the line carrying four faults in a time of 46.19, for fourth.

A single time fault kept Stacey Babes and Kerly De Regor out of the jump-off and into fifth, ahead of Richard Kerins and Small Change, who were fastest of the four faulters in the first round to finish sixth.

Balmoral: TRM/HSI New Heights Champions Series

On Thursday, Tyrone based Smyth claimed his first win in the TRM/HSI New Heights Champion Series with Mulvin Lui in a time of 43.50. Owned by Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig, this nine-year-old gelding is by Luidam and out of Castleconnor Baron (Baron De Chantepie).

It was a good day for the stallion Luidam, another of his offspring, BMH Big Time, ridden by Tholm Keane, jumped clear in 43.81 to finish second.

Edward Doyle Jnr and Billy Guilder completed in 46.34 to take third. Francis Connors and Erne Ladygoldilocks, also had a clear second round in 47.68, leaving them in fouth.

Carrying four faults going in to the second round, Elizabeth Power and Doonaveeragh O One made no mistake second time out and stopped the clocked in 41.20 for fifth ahead of Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Galloway, who had four faults in 43.58.

Tattersalls Grand Prix

Elizabeth Power and Donnaverragh O One shone at Tattersalls. On Saturday the combination recorded their second victory in the Underwriting Exchange series having won in Ballinasloe. They jumped clear in 33.94.

Raphael Lee finished second with Kashino, jumping clear in 34.93. Bred and owned by Jackie Lee, this a nine-year-old mare is by Cassino and out of the Captain Clover-sired dam, Captain’s Pride. Lee has six other offspring registered from the dam.

Also maintaining a clean sheet was Clem Mcmahon and Hilton Pacifico in 37.60 for third place. This 10-year-old gelding is by the late stallion Pacino and out of the Aldatus Z-sired dam, Aldat. This combination have recorded a series of results at home and abroad.

Slotting into fourth was Rebecca Mc Goldrick and Baccara Des Forets, clear in 38.18. Owned by Mc Goldrick and bred by Fabrice and Guy Paris, this eight-year-old French-bred mare is by Calvaro and out of Quinoa Des Forets.

Daniel McAlinden accounted for fifth with Neat Midnight Magic, clear in 39.31. Sixth place was filled by Frank Curran and Ardragh Chekoff, clear in 40.79.

Tattersalls: TRM/HSI ew Heights Champions Series

On Sunday, Power and Doonaveeragh O One were fastest of five double clears in 45.39. Second went to Dermott Lennon and Gelvins Touch in 49.37. Third was Jessica Burke and Express Trend, clear in 51.51. Tholm Keane finished fourth with BMH Big Time, in 51.57.

A new entry into the series, Paul Beecher and Ikona VT Recht Eind were last of the double clears in 54.31 to come home in fifth.

Tim Mac Donagh had one on the ground with Hallypark Galloway but a time of 48.40 saw him take sixth place.