VDL Arkansas, a four-year-old stallion owned by Marilyn Power and Susan Lanigan O'Keeffe of Suma Stud in Co Meath, is hot favourite for today's Dundrum four-year-old championship final, following a convincing win of the remaining qualifier at Ballsbridge yesterday.
Third in the initial qualifier on 98.33, the Dutch-bred bay bounced back for rider Clement McMahon to finish yesterday on an average of 105.33 points. This put VDL Arkansas out in front on 203.66, with Paul Dillon slotting into second with George Allen's Mullentine Easy Jet.
Having been placed fourth on Wednesday, the Cruising mare also moved up a notch to finish on a total of 195.33.
The first of the pony finals, the Ann Smurfit-sponsored 138 cms championship, provided a thrilling win yesterday morning for Andrew Ryan on Michael Lynch's Kildea Hero. The young Clare rider galloped with full strength around the main arena to stop the clock on 35.83 seconds, four seconds faster than Waterford rider Niamh Hennessy and Kingstroyton.
Elizabeth Power, daughter of Capt Con Power, booked a spot in tomorrow's young rider A/B final with Comet when getting the best of an eight-way barrage in the initial qualifier, while double Grand Prix winner James Hogg got closer to a place on the European young rider squad by coming a close second.