Captain Geoff Curran dominated proceedings at HHS in Kilkenny on Wednesday as he took the first two placings in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix.
Riding the eight-year-old, Tempo Manor, he was fastest of just two double clears in a time of 43.45 seconds. Curran opted for a safer approach with his second mount, Drumiller Lough and it paid off as he lodged the second clear of the class in 45.11 seconds and took home the winner’s share in the €2,000 TRM-sponsored class.
This round of the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix saw 36 combinations take on the Alan Wade-designed course, which saw only five combinations going through to the jump-off.
National Grand Prix Champion, Liam O’Meara put in great challenge with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, but a pole on the ground in a time of 39.75 seconds, would see him settle for third place.
Event rider Cathal Daniels had two on the ground with Cappog Tomy in 45.82 seconds, which saw him take fourth place.
Young rider John McEntee crossed the line having clocked up 20 faults with Hip Girl, but it was still good enough for fifth place.
Last year’s Hickstead Derby-winning rider Mikey Pender proved out of luck when not failing to book a place in the jump-off with Javas Gucci due to four faults. However, a fastest of the four faulters in a time of 76.79 seconds meant a sixth-place finish for him. Pender wasn’t too disappointed as he had claimed victory in the earlier 1.30m class with HHS Fortune when he produced the winning round of clear in 30.44 seconds.
