Taking centre stage at Cavan Equestrian, last Sunday was the first round of the Allianz Grand Prix. There was a good turnout with 91 riders declaring. From the starters, 22 proceeded to the timed round and nine delivered double clears.

In the jump-off, John Floody and Bronson De Reve lodged the winning round when clear in 37.25 seconds. Floody was less than a second faster than runner-up Max O’Reilly Hyland and Dorado. Winner of the Derby on Friday night, Damien Griffin and Tabby took third place.

Owned by Eileen Duggan, Bronson De Reve, is by Clem McMahon’s former international mount, Hermes De Reve and out of Oktober. The 11-year-old gelding was bred by Eamon McGurik from county Louth. McGuirk has also bred a full sister (four-year-old) and a half sister by Ramiro B (five-year-old).

SIX/SEVEN-YEAR-OLDS

Mervyn Clarke proved to be a popular winner on Saturday night when he claimed victory in the six- and seven-year-old Hankook Cavan Classic Final. Riding Thomascourt Senna, the resident rider made up time throughout the course to clock the winning round of 34.01.

Owned by Clarke himself, the seven-year-old mare is by Mermus R out of the Cruising-sired dam Playgirl. Bred by Cynthia Beattie from Co Antrim, Clarke has produced the mare from a four-year-old. The dam Playgirl has proved to be a productive mare for the Beatties with five foals registered from her. This year they opened their national season when winning the Horse Sport Ireland ISH Studbook Series and continued to clock up results in the aged classes.

FOUR/FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

There was a good turn-out for the four-year-old final with 28 combinations qualifying for the final on Sunday.

Leading the victory lap in the four-year-old class was Patricia Stewart Greer riding George Z.

Owned by Ailbhe Woods the Zangersheide gelding is by Gitano and out of the Claudio-sired dam Claudia. This combination demonstrated good form in the Breeders Classic in Barnadown and Greer, who is based in Ballymoss Stud in Lisburn, broke and produced the gelding.

In the five-year-old Cavan Crystal Hotel Classic final, victory belonged to Olivia Roulston riding Miss Valent, owned and bred by Lisa Rosbotham. The mare is by Valent which was owned by Lisa and campaigned by Dermott Lennon.

She is out of the John Henry-sired dam Miss Siss and Rosbotham has three off-spring from the mare registered, a four-year-old by Beech Ball, a six-year-old by Calgot Hero and an eight-year-old by Loughehoe Guy.