McLean triumphs in all-Scottish jump-off

The brilliant Gino F is back where he belongs after injury and a former pony European rider is “shocked” to claim her first championship

- By JENNIFER DONALD & SARAH RADFORD

Morris EC Winter Classic, Ayrshire

SANDY MCLEAN and his great partner Gino F prepared for a three-month trip to Dubai with a win here in the winter grand prix.

Three combinations remained clear in John Bedford’s 1.40m first round, producing an all-Scottish jump-off, where Sandy edged ahead of Fergal Holohan (CES Celtic Son) from final draw. The consistent Alex Barr and Preben Van De Doornakkers took third.

Fourteen-year-old Gino returned to the ring in June following an injury.

“He’s feeling right back where he was before,” Sandy commented. “I have ridden a lot of quality horses but it’s definitely a lot more special with him. It was a strong enough track and he walked round it like it was 1.30m.”

Sandy stopped in at Morris for just the one class, as he was transporting some horses from new boss Shane Breen’s to his mother’s yard.

“I needed to bring Gino up for a physio appointment in Cheshire as well, so it was sheer chance, and you didn’t need to qualify for the grand prix,” said Sandy, who was due to fly out to Dubai with Gino and Shane’s team last week.

Emma Crawford and her brilliant Dukes Of Hazzard secured their under-25 qualification for the London International (LIHS) on their third and final attempt this season, marking the fifth consecutive year they will contest the final. This is Emma’s last year in the class, and she triumphed over runner-up Charley Hamilton (Loretta Blue MFS).

“I thought it was the strongest and scopiest track of the year but the jump-off was brilliant – I could just put my foot down and that’s Duke’s speciality,” she said.

CRAIG’S CONSISTENCY IS REWARDED

AILEEN CRAIG has had a consistent run with her eight-year-old home-bred C&N Lockdown and now has the chance to compete at Hickstead after heading the Unibed High Performance Equine Bedding B&C qualifier, beating Jonathan Dixon and D’Avicii JL Z.