Judges Liz Morley and Sue Deakin, who like the Coote Cup class judges won many ringside plaudits for their thorough judging, were on duty again the following day for an intriguing Irish Draught stallion class showdown.

Jimmy Quinn’s Cappa Cassanova (Welcome Flagmount) was bidding for a treble, while Sean Barker’s 2010 winner Gortfree Hero (Castana) was hoping to repeat his 2010 victory. In the end, it was Barker’s imposing liver chesnut who moved up to take the title with the sporting Quinn’s pair of Cappa Cassanova and Cappa Cochise (Fast Silver) next.

“I would have happily sent my mares to any stallion in the class, the standard was that high,” said an impressed Morley.

One of the busiest Irish Draughts of the week was William Dillon’s much-admired Knock Morris (Coolcronan Wood). The nine-year-old stallion, produced by Paul Beecher, first won the Irish Draught performance championship on the opening day with Jackie Marsh’s Dowdstown Dancer (Crosstown Dancer) in reserve.

He was just as impressive by Sunday when he was Ian Stark and John Poole’s overall working hunter champion choice ahead of last year’s title holder Sarah Moore’s Shameless (Porsch).