Eddie Macken, who this week celebrates his 30th annual appearance as an international rider at the Horse Show, was in devastating form in yesterday's MCR Corporation Grade A class.
The German-based rider, going at the midway point in a 10-horse jump-off, shaved over three seconds off the time set by Lieut Lee Murphy and Togher.
Jessica Kurten, another of the growing band of Irish international riders who have chosen to make Germany their professional base, set the pace against the clock with Sampras, but found her defences weakened by the Army rider, winner of the Grade A championship 12 months ago, who was the first to break the 50-second barrier.
However the Dutch-bred Ingmar, Macken's ride for industrialist Michael Nixdorf, relished the newly softened Ballsbridge turf which had soaked up the overnight rain, and a corner-cutting clear in 47.28 secured Macken's first red ribbon of the week.
Jack Doyle came closest to matching Macken's pace but had to settle for second place when Santana's Diamond's nose crossed the finish line in 48.15.
The French-bred stallion, Down Jones Courcel, sire of yesterday's four-year-old winner, Killy Jones, stepped into the winner's enclosure himself today when Dermott Lennon won the Chestnut Ridge Farm B/C class with him, having two seconds to spare over Lieut Danielle Quinlivan and Cratloe.
Jimmy McCloskey took the six-year-old honours with Mr Springfield, by Western Promise, and opening day winner Shane Breen claimed a runner-up ribbon with the Dutch-bred Lombardo.
Pony jumping also featured on the Simmonscourt arena programme yesterday, and Andrew Bourns, winner of a silver medal at the European championships in Sweden a fortnight ago, was the fastest of three riders clear against the clock to claim the 148 cms Grade A with Triple Flash.