The four-year-old Mo Chroi championship again proved popular with large crowds packing Simmonscourt. Following some tough judging, Darragh Ryan riding Abby V Overis Z took the win on a total score of 161.50. Owned by PJ Ryan and Greg Broderick, Abby V Overis Z is a five-year-old mare by Arko III out of a Diamant De Semilly dam. The RDS rules allow five-year-old with a registered ISH foal, to compete in the four-year-old qualifiers. The mare is related to Broderick’s Cartouche V Overis Z, as well as the eight-year-old Fabrice Van Overis, currently competing up to 1.45m level with Britain’s Robert Whitaker.

The six finalists were Darragh Ryan (Abby V Overis Z), Kenneth Graham (Pacino Amiro), Peter Smyth (Derrycastle Sensation), Kerry Taggart (Hamilton), Nicholas Butler (LSS Guyana) and Maria Vozone (Solsboro Masterpiece). They were put through their paces by Di Lampard and Dave Hendricks. Each horse was ridden by either Shane Breen or England's Robert Bevis.

Abby V Overis Z was out on top on a score of 83.875 while Derrycastle Sensation was in second on 78.625, just ahead of Pacino Amiro on 75.125. In the second phase, Shane Breen produced a clear with Abby V Overis Z on 77.625. Pacino Amiro, who was ridden by Bevis, impressed with 73.650, finishing on a total score of 148.78 for second. Derrycastle Sensation under Breen’s command also went clear and his second round score of 69.700 saw him finish on a total of 148.33 for third.

Hamilton answered all the questions for Bevis and the stallion finished on overall score of 135.25 for eventual fourth, ahead of LSS Guyana who had an unlucky four faults and finished on 127.63. Solsboro Masterpiece incurred four faults in the first round and then under Bevis, the gelding faulted again but a combined score of 123.38 saw them take sixth.

Five-year-olds

On Sunday, the five-year-old Flexible National Championship saw seven of 12 combinations make to the jump-off. Junior rider Mikey Pender delivered the winning round with Z Seven Canya Dance, clear in 34.51.

Marion Hughes said: "It has been a great week and I am lucky to have such talented riders at home to produce the young horses. She is a home-bred by Can Ya Makan out of HHS Chantilly. The plan is to hopefully go to Lanken with her.”

Darragh Ryan was close to taking another win aboard ESI Star Struck, but a clear in 35.70 saw him take second, ahead of Mervyn Clarke and Thomascourt BGS, clear in 35.84. Second to go, Kevin Gallagher tried hard with Carrow Kavanann to demote Pender but his time of 36.42 saw him take fourth. Peter Moloney’s clear with Camelot Z took fifth, clear in 38.92. Fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 41.49 was Olive Clarke and Lackamore Storm.

Six-year-olds

Winner of the second qualifier, Peter Smyth and CHS Krooze returned last Sunday morning to claim the Horse Sport Ireland-sponsored Cruising Championship in a time of 36.60. Bred by Vincent O’Callaghan and owned by Kathryn O’Hagan, the mare is by Kroongraff out of the Cruising mare Cruise Oak.

The penultimate rider in the 10-way jump-off, Francis Connors put in a very fast round with BP Castlefield when clocking 39.11 to take the lead and eventual third. Pender took second place with Curra Clover Flight, clear in 36.89. Fourth to go, Eddie Moloney with Cruicerath Flexianna lodged a clear in 39.25 for fourth, ahead of Eric Glynn and Fiero, clear in 41.29. Richard Kerins didn’t hang about with Achonry Carie and their clear round in 41.88 saw them take sixth.

Seven/eight-year-olds

Victory in the Connolly's Red Mills-sponsored Grand Prix went to America as Lauren Hough took the win with Lady Davos last Sunday. Last to go in the six-way jump-off, Hough's strong gallop home in 41.86 sealed victory. An eight-year by Canturo and out of Athene, it was the mare’s first major win this year on the international circuit.

Kamil Papousek from the Czech Republic took the runner-up spot when he delivered the only double clear aboard Flying in 43.74. Pender was the best-placed Irish rider when finishing as the fastest four-faulter aboard HHS Hercules in 40.61 for third. Philip McGuane had an unlucky four faults at fence eight with LVS Wizard, but their time of 43.54 proved good enough for eventual fourth, just ahead of Neal Fearon and Billy On Time who crossed the line carrying four faults in 44.93.

Australian rider Edwina-Tops Alexander completed the top six when crossing the line on four faults in 53.60 with Veronese Teamjoy (7yo).