It was a well-worthwhile journey from Meath to Wexford for John Floody as he landed his second consecutive win of the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring tour last Sunday at Barnadown aboard Mise Le Meas. It was a decisive win for Floody as he now tops the leader board on 54 points, three points ahead of his closest rival Liam O’Meara. Floody also took the honours in the earlier 1.20m and 1.30m with Kieran King’s gelding Kings Best.

Owned by Mathew Birch, Mise Le Meas is an nine-year-old gelding by Cruise On out of Cissie Lass. Produced by Floody for the last three years, the combination has proved very consistent in the aged classes and through the grades.

Floody said: “It was definitely a good day in the office and I couldn’t have asked for any more. Kings Best was in flying form and to win the 1.20m and 1.30m was a great bonus.”

Regarding the Spring Tour, Floody added: “It always helps to have the last to go advantage and with only one in the jump-off, I got to look at a good few of the riders before me. Mise Le Meas is a big striding horse and is very quick. He is the type of horse that you can ask to quicken the pace without upsetting him. Today was important as it puts me top of the leader board, but there is still a good few rounds to go and anything can happen.”

Technical track

Course designer Tom Holden designed a technical track for the 56 starters which saw 16 of those book their place in the time round.

First to go Michael Pender set the bar high as he recorded a clear in 35.33 aboard Shake It. Pender came close to losing the lead position as Ethen Ahearne took every tight line with CSF Royal Cruz. Despite the good attempt, a clear in 35.51 proved only good enough for eventual third.

Conan Wright also delivered a clear with Leanorth Boom Boom, albeit in the slower time of 36.62 for eventual fourth place. Peter Smyth took no unnecessary risks with Tunmore and it paid dividends as he delivered a clear in 46.32 for fifth. Double handed in the jump-off, Smyth wasted no time with Diamonds Courage but with a pole on the ground in 33.06, he slotted into seventh place

Killian Norris proved that the time could be beaten as he clocked 32.36 with Kilrainey High Destination but it proved expensive as he crossed the line carrying four faults which saw him slot into sixth. Amy O’Rourke was the only lady rider in the line-up as she took eighth place with Toscana with four faults in 33.86. Last to go John Floody set off strong with Mise Le Meas, a daring gallop to the last saw them take the lead as they stopped the clock in 33.61. Pender’s runner-up position saw him take the leading young rider prize of this round. The top Pro Am rider was Amy O’Rourke while the Castlefield Sport Horse prize went to Frances O’Regan’s Liberation.