With six to go in the jump off the win was going to come from a hard fought battle - first to go was Andrew Bourns and Accordiano and they set of at a cracking pace over the 9 fence jump off track which included two new fences but today was not to be their day when they lowered 5 fences and finishing in 52.06secs which at this early stage would almost certainly see them picking up 6th place money and points.

Richie Moloney and Millfall Hill had an awkward moment with a strange approach to fence 1 but it staye in place and all was well until the third last fence, which was previously 9b of the treble fell and they came through the finish flags with 4 faults in 53.24secs.

Lt. Brian Curran Cournane and River Boyne finished with 4 faults also after dropping the new fence 13 which came second on the track but they clocked up an excellent time of 48.37secs putting them provisionally into the lead with 3 combinations to come.

Eddie Moloney continued to impress with his own Top Dollar as they seemed to skip around this tall jump off track and came through the finish with all fences in place with a beatble time of 58.47secs but at this stage clear rounds were not a 'happening thing' and there were just two to go in this class.

Laraghlease Western Desert and Stephen Smith made it clear as they broke the starters beam that they were not going to be having a stroll around the track today and with some breath holding moments they stopped the clock at 51.45secs with all fences in place to take the lead with one rider to go.

Last in this class was John Floody and Athea Clover Mist and this combination have been known to run against the clock and today John was looking for the win but as they stopped the clock there was a fence on the floor in 49.37secs giving todays class to Stephen Smith and Robert Hancock's stallion Laraghlease Western Desert and a happier man there could not have been at presentation - pictured below - as he accepted his cheque, rosette and beautiful Equiport Rug in this class so generously sponsored by Rachel and Gareth Roach of Empire Homes Ltd.