David Tatlow and the Kelanne Studs winning heavyweight Book of Kells was the choice of Rory Gilsenan and Marjorie Ramsay to take the coveted ridden hunter tricolour at a rain soaked Royal Showground.
Bought after winning his four-year-old class at Dublin last year, the 17.3hh chestnut gelding is by Peter Pan out of Shipley Valentine. Already a winner at the South of England, Book of Kells was specifically aimed at The Royal.
Hes a big horse, and still growing, so were not going to hurry him. We always thought the ring would suit him here, so this has been our main target for the summer, said David.
Reserve champion was John Dunlops Finn McCool who headed a strong lightweight division for Guy Landau. In his second open season, the seven-year-old, who hunts with the South & West Wilts in winter, has racked up four major championships this term, including Windsor.
Second reserve was the middleweight winner, Monserratt Sport Horses Slieve Namon Mist who gave one of the best gallops of the day. In his fourth season with Cheshire rider and producer Robert Walker, the elegant Irish Draught grey gelding recently took the ridden hunter title at Bramham.
STOP PRESS
The conditions on the showground at Stoneleigh are such that the organisers to decide not to allow spectators to attend tomorrow on health and safety grounds. The horse classes will go ahead as planned. Read the full story >>
www.royalshow.org.uk
