The battle for the Allianz Autumn Grand Prix league moved up a gear last Sunday as Jonathan Smyth and Charlton Clio claimed the win ahead of the final at Cavan next weekend. Smyth also took third place with his second charge of the jump-off, Ping Ball.

These were important results for the Tyrone rider as it meant that he added six points on to his tally of 18, leaving him in second place on the leaderboard, just behind John Floody and Ballyknock Diamond on 25 points.

There was a good turnout for the class with 35 combinations going to post. Of these 10 maintained clean sheets and proceeded to the jump-off where five double clears were lodged.

Smyth went first with Charlton Clio, and a good pace throughout the course saw him clock the winning time of 35.76 seconds. Bred by Peter Mulrine from Donegal and now owned by Richard J W Smyth, Charlton Clio (ISH) is an 11-year-old mare by HHS BR Charlton out of the Clover Hill-sired mare Admiran Clio. The breeder, Mulrine has registered 10 offspring from the dam and three of those are by HHS BR Charlton.

Charlton Chloe is a full sister and is currently jumping in the Children in Horses ranks with Patrick Mc Evoy. Admiran Oh Me, another full sister, jumped up to 1.20m with David Mulrine.

Under Symth’s command, Charlton Clio has proved successful at home and abroad. In August this year the pairing where part of the team that finished fifth in the Young Riders European Championships in Samorin. Previous to this they formed part of the young rider team that finished second in Hagen.

ON-FORM FLOODY

Keen to add points to his tally, John Floody didn’t hang about and a clear in 36.30 saw him occupy the runner-up place with HTS Blackrock. Bred by his owner Brian Kiernan of Heynestown Stud in Dundalk, HTS Blackrock is a 10-year-old stallion by Rhyne Clover out of the Diamond Chin mare Marilyn D Chin.

Smyth then returned to take third place with his second charge of the jump-off, Ping Ball when clear in 37.37 seconds. Owned by Clive Cathers, Ping Ball is a nine-year-old gelding by Beach Ball out of the Western Problem-sired Laura’s Dream.

Bred by Noletta Smyth in Tyrone, Ping Ball is a full sister to Power Ball, who is currently competing with Chinese rider Yunyun Wang at CSI2* young rider level. The dam has proven to be very successful for the Smyths, with 10 offspring registered. The mare was also crossed with Euro Clover, O.B.O.S Quality 004, Clover Echo, VDL Arkansas and HHS BR Charlton.