Riders were out in force this weekend with a double bill of the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour in the Leinster region. The first round took place on Saturday at Wexford Equestrian, where Kilkenny’s Vincent Byrne took victory on Angela Taggart’s Caugherty in the Menapia-sponsored class. By Limmerick and out of Tiffcrum Girl, the 14-year-old Caugherty was formerly successfully campaigned by Edward Butler.

Course designer Tom Holden set the challenge for the 27 listed starters, which saw 12 of those proceed to the timed round.

Double handed in the jump-off, Byrne got his first look at the course with Elaine Donoghue’s eight-year-old gelding Guidam Clover, clear in 39.86 seconds for eventual fifth place. Current title holder Liam O’Meara didn’t disappoint as he temporarily took the lead with Mr Coolcaum when clear in 35.96.

Second last to go, Vincent Byrne negotiated a series of tight lines with Caugherty to clock the winning time of 35.45, leaving O’Meara to take the runner-up spot.

Kilkenny’s Tholm Keane slotted into third place when clear with Caroline Teltsch’s Delano W in 36.78.

Fellow Kilkenny rider Ger O’Neill was clear with Eamonn Murphy’s eight-year-old Indoctro-sired stallion Dondoctro Ryal K in 38.19, good enough for fourth place.

International event rider Sarah Ennis kept everything in place with BLM Diamond Delux and a clear in 41.95 ensured her sixth place.

Killossery Lodge

On Sunday, victory in the Larkin Sport Horses International-sponsored class at Killossery Lodge belonged to Gerard Clarke and Kellswater Crimson, almost a second faster that their closest rivals in 34.07.

Kellswater Crimson is a 16-year-old gelding by Cruising out of Cool Rain Clover and has been produced by Clarke from 1m level.

Young rider Matt Garrigan partnered Shenick to a clear in 37.94 to second place, also taking the leading young rider prize. Edward Butler put his first points on the board, as he slotted into third place when clear with Rincoola Rua in 38.27. Fermanagh native James Hogg delivered a clear with Almost Persuaded in 40.78 for eventual fourth place. Hogg also took seventh place with Always On My Mind posting an unlucky four faults in 38.61.

Luke Garrigan piloted MHS La Scala into fifth when clear in 42.81. MHS la Scala was previously campaigned by Eddie Moloney.

Following a good performance at Wexford Equestrian, Tholm Keane was back in the placings, this time taking sixth place with Future Storm when carrying four faults in 38.41.