JUNIOR European Champion Kate Derwin demonstrated her talent on home soil as she clinched victory in the penultimate round of the TRM/HSI New Heights Champion Series at Maryville last Sunday. In doing so, she beat off the challenge off veteran riders in a gutsy performance.

Speaking after the win, Kate Derwin said: “Genuinely, I didn’t think that I could catch Dermott (Lennon), but once I got over fence 13, the big oxer, I knew I could pick up the pace. He had a good career with Greg (Broderick) and with Jim he was fast against the clock. I knew going in that he warmed up well and that he was jumping well. He is a big horse with plenty of stride, and he rides as big as he looks. As he is also a long horse it takes a bit to keep him together. The plan is Dublin and the final of the series in Barnadown,” she added.

Riding Deep Pockets, Derwin didn’t put a foot wrong in both rounds and in the second round, clocked 35.16 to take the honours and the winner’s share of the €9,000 on offer. Neck and neck throughout the course with Lennon from the start, Derwin made up the time on approach to the water tray and then on to the HSI oxer and on to the last.

Owned by Jim Derwin and bred by Charles Pidgeon from Co Westmeath, Deep Pockets is a 10-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality 004 out of the Cruising-sired dam Simple Chic. The gelding has had a successful career under the command of Kate’s uncle Jim to start. In 2015, the partnership finished sixth in the six-year-old Cruising Championship. He was then campaigned by Greg Broderick and Darragh Ryan and clocked up a series of good results in the aged classes and up to Grand Prix level. The gelding is a half-brother to LCC Empty Pockets (Indoctro), which has also jumped up to Grand Prix level.

Course designer Tom Holden set the challenge for the 20 starters and five delivered double clears.

Placed second last week in Tattersalls, Dermott Lennon added to his tally as he took second place with Gelvins Touch when finishing on zero penalties in a time of 36.09.

Owned by Victoria Loane and bred by John McCann, Gelvins Touch (ISH) is a 13-year-old gelding by Touchdown out of the Diamond Lad-sired dam Whitestown Diamond.

A good day

It was good day for Roscommon breeder John McCann as Hollypark Galloway, which he also bred took third, when Tim MacDonagh partnered him to a clear in 36.51. Now owned by Jackie Lee, this nine-year-old Hollypark Galloway is by Castlelawn Galloway and out of Whitestown Diamond. Under MacDonagh’s command, the pair have clocked up a series of good results of late, taking the win in Omagh and third in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix in Ballinasloe and second in Cavan.

Francis Connors and Erne Ladygoldilocks slotted into fourth, clear in 36.85. Bred and owned by Hugh Fitzpatrick from Co Cavan, Erne Ladygoldilocks is a 12-year-old mare by VDL Douglas out of the Some Touch-sired dam Erne Touch. Erne Touch also had a successful career with Connors up to Grand Prix level and was under his command until 2002. This combination has proved very consistent in the series, claiming a win in Galway and a series of placings.

The last double clear came courtesy of Wesley Ryan and Quinar De Cassini, clear in 40.22. This 13-year-old German-bred stallion is by Quinar out of the Cassini I-sired dam L-Karina.

Currently leading the National League, Liam O’Meara featured in this line-up, taking sixth place with the stallion Oldtown KC.