Three-year-old loose jumping specialists Jackie Lee and Noel Ruane brought off back-to-back doubles in Thursday evening’s final played out before packed Simmonscourt stands. Headford owner Lee had won the colt/gelding division of this Horse Sport Ireland-sponsored final last year with OG Mandino and this time it was his home-bred gelding by the Belgian-bred Emerald Van’t Ruythershof, out of a Courage II dam, that stayed top of the pack.

Noel Ruane had been a loyal supporter of Sligo Candy Boy and his faith was repaid when he was runner-up with another home-bred, Castle OJ out of a dam by the Cavalier Royale-sired sport horse sire High Roller. Completing a treble for western owners was Gabriel Mullins who took third place with Zambia, by the great Diamant de Semilly, in this final which was temporarily delayed after one of the three-year-olds collided with the barrier.

Ruane went one better in the following filly final, also judged by Stanny Van Passchen, when his Castle Camiro won this division to complete a back-to-back double for the Corballa owner. Limerick owner Lisa Griffin placed third with her Balou Du Rouet filly Coolnorran Lilou and third was Deirdre McGuckian’s home-bred grey by Cheers Cassini.

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