Dick McElligott went one step closer to clinching the Dublin supreme hunter title that has always eluded him when his five-year-old Coincracker won the lightweight cup yesterday in the build-up to today's final judging.
The popular Kerryman, whose showing partnership with Diana Gilna has netted two reserve championships in the Dublin supreme, was moved to tears by yesterday's main arena victory. Despite injuries received in a horrific car crash nine days ago, McElligott left his wheelchair and hobbled into the arena on crutches to collect the Samuel Ussher Roberts cup to sustained applause from his ringside supporters.
Coincracker, which netted McElligott his fifth championship at Mullingar last month, has both the presence and the gallop to go all the way this morning, but he will meet a strong challenge in the two-years-older Mastercraft.
Winner of the heavyweight title yesterday, Carole Hill's Mastercraft has a good deal more ring experience than his younger counterpart and is himself every inch a champion. His enthusiasm for the game may be the one telling point against him as anticipation of displaying his ground-eating gallop causes the Valville gelding to become somewhat headstrong in the faster paces.
Austin Quigley's The General, a grey son of The General, took the medium-weight championship with Wendy Trevithick in the saddle and must be favourite for the four-year-old honours today, but the battle for the supreme must surely be between Coincracker and Mastercraft.
The ladies' tricolour turned into a showdown between Sally Roche's reserve medium-weight Imperial Way and Lady Perdita Blackwood's Mr Bergerac, third in his class on Wednesday. The judges finally plumped for the seven-yearold Entrechat gelding Mr Bergerac, professionally shown by Ronnie Bailey for his Co Down owner.
Another Co Down producer topped the three-year-olds when Caroline Berry's home-bred Stallone filly Faberge took the Anthony Maude cup and looks a strong contender for the overall young stock title this morning.
Northerners completed a successful day when Co Fermanagh showman J.J. Hurst brought his multiple winning mare My Irish Bride back for another crack at the Breeders championship and, with her Euphemism colt foal at foot, was given the nod in the final judging yesterday. The 13year-old Chou Chin Chow mare has claimed both the RDS Breeders and three mare championships in a star-studded career.
But the Irish Draught mare trophy stayed in Dublin when Malahide breeder Caroline Giles-Lee claimed the honours with Bella's Pride, the seven-year-old daughter of Pride Of Shaunlara.