Local riders were out in force last weekend to contest the second round of the TRM/Horseware Grand Prix league held at Thomastown Show last Sunday. Following a competitive jump-off, it was Kilkenny’s Vincent Byrne who took the honours aboard Mr Rockefeller and the majority share of the €5,000 in the Ballygowan Water-sponsored class.

Byrne said: “It’s always nice to have a win at a local show. It was a very competitive class with 13 very experienced combinations in the jump-off. With Ger (O’Neill) having three horses in the jump-off, I knew he would be one to watch. Mr Rockefeller is quick across the ground and particularly good at the verticals so I knew I could make up the time here. The ground was ideal here today and the show committee did an excellent job.”

Course designer Pat Hutchinson set out a testing track for the 23 listed starters and 13 combinations booked their place in the jump-off.

Ger O’Neill put the pressure on as he secured three slots. Going first with the Hurricane, he delivered a clear in 42.84 seconds which later proved good enough for eventual fifth place.

There was anxious moments for Galway’s Martin Hynes when his mount Galway Brigade rattled the vertical at nine, but with everything remaining in place, a clear in 45.02 saw him finish in eventual sixth place.

Gerard Clarke set off in a blistering pace with Kellswater Crimsom, crossing the line in 39.94 to take the lead.

Francis Connors took the steady approach with Erne Ladygoldilocks but a slower time of 45.51 meant that he finished just outside the top six placings.

Returning with Dondoctro Ryal K, O’Neill pulled out all the stops but failed to demote Clarke when crossing the line in 41.19 and had to contend with eventual third place.

Winner of the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour league, Liam O’Meara took it on with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight. However, he ruled himself out of contention when faulting at the second part of the double.

Paul Beecher opted for the more cautious approach with Ikona V’T Recht Eind and delivered a clear in 52.54 which kept him out of the top six.

Next in, Vincent Byrne clearly had his eye on the ball and a series of tight turns with the big striding Mr Rockefeller saw him set the unbeatable time of 38.20.

Hynes returned with Rockhill Harlequin. Despite lodging another clear, his time of 42.56 saw him finish behind O’Neill and Dondoctro Ryal K in fourth place. Last to go, O’Neill had his foot to the floor with Dree Boeken’s Grossos Roeschen but four faults at the third fence and a time of 43.71 saw his hopes of a win dashed.