Sligo’s Kevin Gallagher and The Irish Sport Horse Ballypatrick Flamenco came out victorious in a hotly contested opening round of the 2021 Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series at Barnadown in Co Wexford.
Two hundredths of a second separated the top two finishers.
Ten combinations made it through to the jump-off and Gallagher posted what proved the winning performance when he crossed the line clear in 33.82 seconds with the 11-year-old gelding owned by Greg Broderick Ballypatrick Stables.
Clem McMahon with Hilton Pacato (ISH) claimed runner-up spot, while third place went to Francis Derwin (Jnr) with AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (ISH) with the only other double clear.
Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise were the fastest of the four fault scores from the jump-off to finish fourth, while fifth place went to Greg Broderick and Gradje O, just ahead of Jason Foley and MHS Jersey Girl who completed the top six.
The second leg of the Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series will take place at Portmore on May 23rd.