SATURDAY’s feature class at Mullingar International was the Longines ranking Grand Prix qualifier, offering €28,220 in prize money and it was a cracking class with 64 starters eventually claimed by Tim Brennan.

It was a competitive class with 16 booking their place against the clock. Last to go in the jump-off and with a thrilling gallop to the last, Brennan and Diadema Della Caccia (Diamant de Semilly x Cardento 933) stopped the clock in 36.33 to take the top prize of €9,306. Brennan also accounted for sixth place with Coblue PS when he delivered a clear in a time of 41.88.

“She was super today, I am delighted,” Tim said afterwards. “She came here in great form; she is so fast against the clock, sometimes she can be unbeatable and today it paid off. I spent the winter in Florida and it was a great experience out there; I jumped the Under 25 series and won the semi-final and final. To bring her home and get her back up to her A form and thankfully she was brilliant today. The plan is to aim at the Europeans.”

English visitor Rachel Proudley had to settle for second place on this occasion when she partnered the Grand Prix winner from week one, Quality Street, to a clear in 38.26. Sean Monaghan was hot on her heels with Toyger, coming home clear in 39.52 for third place.

Little divided the next placing as Aidan Killeen and Inlaws Orinoco stopped the clock with nothing to add in 39.76. Francis Connors and Carrigshawn Vendi Royal took fifth when they kept all the poles in place in 41.13.

Derwin wins again

Francis Derwin added to his tally when he took the win in the speed class on Saturday. Riding his own Sambuca H (Simba x Kannan) he was fastest of the 37 clears in 55.90 seconds. Katie Nallon and Mulvin Cliodam also added to their brilliant tour when they came home in 57.95 for second place.

Slotting into third place was Sean Monaghan and Jolita L in a time of 58.03. Fourth place belonged to Shane Goggins and Svs Ashford Zodiac when stopping the clock in 58.24. Resident rider Alanna Fagan and Billy Hastings took fifth when they came home in 61.57, while in sixth was Isabel O’Brien and Javas Gucci in a time of 61.74.

1.25m speed class

Sven Hadley was back in the ribbons on Saturday when claiming the Glen Wood 1.25m Table C speed class. Riding the eight-year-old stallion Make It Easy, he delivered the winning round in a time of 58.76 seconds.

Robert Harrison, who has been recently spending some time on the gallops, put this practice in to use as he took the runner-up spot with Ces Wicked Contender when he clocked 61.21. Katie Nallon and Claires Delight accounted for third place when they stopped the clock in 61.48.

Hadley took the majority share of the prize fund when he came home in 61.96 with Uidam for eventual fourth and finished fifth with HSH Harper du Seigneur in 62.79. Dylan Ward returned to the line-up, this time claiming sixth with Aganix de La Mer when fastest of the four faulters in 65.73.