THERE was a dramatic reversal in the show ring form book yesterday morning when Wendy Trevithick's Balmoral champion, Candelabra, pulled in top of the heavyweight line up, left the ring lame after getting cast in his box the previous night.
The four year old son of Candle King caught the eye of judges Chris Hunnable and Stewart Stevens - the latter brought in as a last minute replacement for Ian Stark, who had to deputise in the lightweight classes. But Candelabra, who took supreme honours in Belfast three months ago, was definitely unlevel and was taken out of the class by his disappointed owner/rider.
The Co Wexford producer now has only one of her three horses through to tomorrow's hunter championship, the medium weight Son Of Autumn. But this six year old stood second to Frances Cash's Conquestador on Wednesday and is unlikely to turn the tables in the main arena.
The four year old top of the weights honours went instead to Ellen Brown's Star Light by Western Light, which will meet the three other heavyweight winners - Galtee Star, The Eagle and Ruskey Calling - in the battle for the weight cup tomorrow.
The Anthony Maude Cup for the champion three year old went to Inter Exchange by Big Sink Hope, which Hugh McCusker bought after the gelding won the young horse championship at Balmoral.