The rescheduled round of the HSI Connolly’s Red Mill’s Spring Tour in Mullingar last Wednesday proved to be one of the most decisive rounds of the series. Not only did Roisin Fagan extend her lead on the young rider leader board when she claimed victory with IKAN, but Liam O’Meara’s runner-up position with Realt Na Carraig meant that he had done enough to take the overall title. Catherine Thornton also added to her tally when she claimed third place with Derryinver Luxury Cruise, which put the pairing into a very strong position going into the final rounds.

CoilÓg

Although Liam O’Meara had done enough at Mullingar to insure that he claimed the HSI/Connolly’s Red Mill’s Spring Tour league, the runner-up prize, the young rider, Castlefield Sporthorse and Pro Am league titles were still all to play for. As a result, the final round of the tour at CoilÓg last Sunday proved extremely competitive.

Leading the victory lap, and claiming the €2,500 CoilÓg sponsored final round, was Darryl Walker aboard Manuela Martinelli’s nine-year-old Flexible-sired mare Cushions. Fourth last to go in the 16-way jump-off, Walker set the unbeatable time in 36.56. Walker said: “This was our second win of the series and I am delighted at how the mare is going. She is normally very quick and we got it right today in what was a very fast jump-off.”

Walker was chased home by John Floody and Mise Le Meas, who also put in a faultless round in 36.93. This was an important result for Floody as it meant that he added 12 points to his tally, which was enough for him to claim the €750 runner-up prize in the league.

With Catherine Thornton failing to close the gap having faulted towards the end of the course with Derryinver Luxury Cruise, she had to contend with third place in the league and collected the €250 for her efforts.

Liam O’Meara and Mr Coolcaum were fractions behind in 37.91 for third place. Overall, it was a very productive league for O’Meara as he not only took home €2,000 as the league winner, but he also collected €1,000 as Curraghgraigue Jack Take Fligh finished top of the leaderboard in Castlefield Sporthorses on 43 points. John Floody’s mount, Mise Le Meas was runner-up and his owner Mathew Birch took home €700, while Kristopher Marshall’s Chirokko M, campaigned by Edward Doyle, finished third and took home €300.

First to go in the jump-off, Ger O’Neill had the difficult task of setting the bar aboard Go For It. Speed merchant against the clock, O’Neill left nothing to spare as he delivered a clear in 38.24, which proved good enough for eventual fourth. One place behind O’Neill in the line-up was Edward Butler and Cornet Son, clear in 38.73.

Young Guns

In the young rider division, Noelle Barry’s clear with Norway Venture in 39.12 saw her slot into sixth and in the process claim the young rider prize of the leg. Winner of the young rider league was Anna Carway and Winner on 37 points, while Rosin Fagan took the runner-up spot on 30 points.

Following a strong performance of the course of the tour, Conor McEneaney and Moonlite Cavalier took the Pro Am title. CL