The penultimate weekend of jumping in the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour proved to be an exciting one as those at the top end of the 1.35m leaderboard, Tholm Keane and Francis Connors, fought hard to add extra points to their tally before the Breeders Classic next weekend.

At Iverk Show on Saturday, victory in the 1.35m division belonged to Francis Connors and Capitol Cruis. Fifth to go in the class, the Waterford native lodged the winning round of clear in 42.59 seconds.

Bred by Diana Warrington from Kildare and now owned by Ian Smyth, Capitol Cruis is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Ard VDL Douglas out of the Cruising mare, Forest Mistral. Warrington has bred several from this mare, using Highland King on five occasions, Ricardo Z, Cobra and Kingsmaster.

Francis Connors took over the ride on Capitol Cruis from Peter Leonard in 2015 and since then the combination have proved very consistent at this level.

Keane storms home

All eyes were on the last to go, Tholm Keane and Future Storm, to see if they would catch Connors. However, despite a good pace and a clear round, 43.01 proved only good enough for second place.

Bred by Michael Cusack and now owned by Diarmuid Hurley, Future Storm is a nine-year-old mare by Future Trend out of the Cruising-sired mare Angel Of Harlem. The dam, Angel Of Harlem has produced seven foals that have gone on to compete either in eventing or show jumping.

Third to go in the jump-off, Patrick Hickey and the 11-year-old Holsteiner mare Quandurina also delivered a foot perfect round, albeit in 43.59 for third. Out of Quidam de Revel and out of the Calato sired mare Handura, the mare has been under Hickey’s command for just over a year and the pair have clocked up a series of results on the national circuit.

Leinster tour continues

On Sunday in Jag Equestrian in Kildare, young riders dominated the proceedings in the 1.35m section.

Taking the win was Kildare rider, Stephen Murphy. Riding his father Brian’s Chantelle he lodged the winning round of 30.76.

Bred by Gerry Traynor, the eight-year-old mare is by Lux Z out of Texaco’s Delphine. Traynor has had much success with this mare, breeding eight from her.

The mare’s full sister Luxs Curios which is owned by Brian Murphy was campaigned by Michael and Stephen Murphy with much success.

Another full sister, Birchwood Holly has also been a big success for the Murphy family with a series of good results for his owners Patrick Murphy and Eoghan Murphy.

Young, Daniel Fitzgerald finished in second place with the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Mullentine Jetstream, when clear in 31.56. Bred by George Allen from Armagh, the gelding is by Voltaire out of the Cruising sired mare Mullentine Easyjet.

Darryl Walker put his first points on the board when he took third place with Kiss N Fly when clear in 32.25.

Bred by the owner Laura Durkin, the eight-year-old gelding is by Guidam out of Coolamber