THE 1.45m North Star Classic saw 50 combinations battle it out for the €10,000 on offer last Friday and of those, 14 booked their place against the clock. Leading the victory lap were Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney and Temple Alice.

Speaking after the win, Eddie Moloney said: “Delighted to take the win today the horse is a real tryer and everything get up nicely in the jump-off. Credit to Barnadown, they are putting on a great show and the grass arena is always fantastic. The nicest part of this win was that my first ever Grand Prix win was here, but I’m not too sure how long ago it was.”

Regarding the jump-off, he added: “I saw Niamh’s (McEvoy) round and I knew that I had to be very quick. He answered every question and was particularly good to the last line.”

Owned by Moloney and TSI Equestrian, Temple Alice is a nine-year-old mare by Foxglen Cruise Control out of the Rantis Diamond-sired Innishannon Shamrock. The mare was bought from Tholm Keane as a six-year-old and has clocked up a series of results with Keane. Last week, under Moloney’s command, the gelding finished third in the eight/nine-year-old championship at the RDS.

First to go in the timed round, young rider Ryan Sweetnam put it up to the rest when he delivered a clear with Quisto in 37.26 seconds.

Jason Foley and Clyde Va posted a very fast time of 34.38, but four faults at the penultimate oxer meant he had to settle for fifth place.

Young rider Niamh McEvoy put in a gallant attempt with Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick, and a clear in 34.20 temporitly put her into the lead. This result comes off the back of a very good week for McEvoy as she won the RDS Bursary following a great performance in the 1.35-1.40m Young Rider Championship in Dublin.

Next to go, Eddie Moloney knew what was required to take the win. Setting off strong with Temple Alice, and a tight turn back to the North Star Oxer saw him up on target. This, matched with a good pace to the penultimate oxer, saw him set the winning time in 33.73, and demote McEvoy into second and Sweetnam into third.

Last of the double clears in 39.26 was delivered by Paul Carberry and Brandonview First Edition for eventual fourth place.

Little separated the next placing as Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Cuffesgrange Cavadora came home carrying four faults in 34.86.