Gerard Clarke recorded his second win in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour when taking the honours at Broadmeadows on St Patrick’s day with the 16-year-old Cruising gelding, Kellswater Crimson. Just two weeks ago, this same combination took victory in nearby Killossery Lodge.

Course designer Tom Holden set the challenge for the 25 starters in the Custom Crew Construction and The Stallion Company class, which saw seven of those proceed to the timed round.

John Floody continues to chase valuable points as he accounted for three top 10 placings. First to go in the jump-off with Ballyknock Diamond, Floody proved out of luck when faulting at the first vertical and then again at the third oxer. A good time of 35.98 seconds however saw this combination take seventh place. Floody had already secured eighth place when finishing as fastest of the four faulters in the first round with HTS Blackrock in 68.28.

Second to go, Ger O’Neill was first to answer all the questions with the seven-year-old gelding Easter Monday, clocking 36.38. Amy O’Rourke posted a clear Toscana in 34.79 which saw the lead change hands. Laura Snow and Solsboro Silver Pearl were up for the challenge and although they kept all the poles in place, a time of 40.43 meant they finished in eventual fifth.

Returning with the big striding Mise Le Meas, John Floody knew what was required to take the lead and he did so, clear in 33.19.

Strong gallop

Next in with Kellswater Crimson, Gerard Clarke kept it tight from the off. A good line from the double along with a strong gallop to the last oxer saw him shave two second off Floody’s time in 31.16 to take the lead and in the process, demote Floody into second and O’Rourke into third.

Last to go, only Liam O’Meara and Mr Coolcaum stood between Clarke and the win. Although O’Meara set out in a blistering pace, four faults at the third fence in 32.65 meant that the reigning champion finished in sixth place. The top young rider in this round was Stephen Murphy. Taking the top pro-am prize was Deirdre Reilly, while the Ger O’Neill-owned Easter Monday was the top young horse here.

Last Sunday, Cavan EC hosted its second round of the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour and taking the honours and his first Spring Tour victory was Fermanagh native James Hogg, riding Almost Persuaded.

Owned by his father Edgar, Almost Persuaded is an nine-year-old mare by Ard VDL Douglas out of Lady Dreamer. Produced by James, the mare has featured strongly in the young horse classes and has produced slowly to this level with much success.

Cookstown native Emily Turkington lodged the first double-clear in the 14-way jump-off with Willem in 39.03 to put the pressure on. Alan O’Regan and Liberation reduced the target to 38.61 which later proved good enough for fourth place and secured him the leading pro-am prize.

Damien Griffin proved that the time could be beaten when crossing the line in 37.07 with Tabby but four faults at the penultimate fence meant an eighth place finish for him.

Emily Turkington returned with DGS Impulse, but despite keeping everything in place, their time of 40.69 saw them take seventh place.

Double-handed in the jump-off, John Floody proved out of luck with Ballyknock Diamond when incurring eight faults. Floody also took it on with Mise Le Meas, taking the lead in 37.69.

Next in, James Hogg and Almost Persuaded wasted no time from the off. A good line from two to three and then to the double saw him up on target. Similar to Floody, it was the daring gallop to the last that saw him take the lead when clocking 37.01. Sophie Dalm and Evita De Wulf Selection posted a faultless performance in 40.10 to finish behind Turkington and Willem in sixth place.

Last to take up the gauntlet was Liam O’Meara and Mr Coolcaum. Despite a good attempt however, a clear in 37.38 only served to demote Floody into third as O’Meara slotted into second.