FRANCIS (Frano) Derwin Jnr and AHG Whiterock Cruise Down scored their second Grand Prix win in the space of a week when they earned the top spot in the first round of the 1.40m Autumn Grand Prix Development Series in Mullingar last Sunday.

This win came just three days after they won the 1.40m Quinta do Lago Resort Grand Prix at the Hughes Horse Stud Annual show in Co Kilkenny.

Almost half the field, 20 combinations, produced a clear first round to progress to the jump-off in the 2021 Autumn Grand Prix Series in Mullingar.

Three riders just missed out when they added a single time fault, two more found themselves with two time to add, while four had one fence down.

Derwin and Whiterock Cruise Down (Cruisings Micky Finn - Touchdown) proved fastest when stopping the clock at 41.08 to secure the victory and the lion’s share of the €5,000 prize fund.

Susan Fitzpatrick and the eight-year-old Keatingstown Skorphults Joker (Conthargos - Chacco Blue) came closest to catching Derwin when they broke the finish beams in 43.27 to secure the runner-up spot.

Third place went to Edward Doyle riding Lisa Cawley’s gelding Flexability (Flex A Bill - Diamond Lad) when they recorded 44.16.

Andiamix Hero Z (Aganix du Seigneur - Andiamo Z) was guided to fourth by Eddie Moloney, while Max Wachman and Coolmore Showjumping’s German-bred Dorette slotted into fifth.

Young rider Dan Geaney and Ronnoco Jump Ltd’s Dalvaro 2 rounded off the placings in sixth. The next round of the Series will take place in October.

1.35m Mullingar EC Mini Grand Prix winner John Floody and Donevan Erkindale in action at Mullingar Equestrian Centre \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

Floody victorious

John Floody made his presence felt in Saturday’s 1.35m Mini Grand Prix taking first, third, fourth and fifth aboard Donevan Erkindale, HTS Carnanbreagha (Sir Shutterfly - Aldatus Z), Accidental Diamond and Ballyknock Diamond respectively.

Some 58 combinations lined out for this two-phase and 34 managed to keep a clean sheet over both phases. Floody’s time of 26.24 with Kevin and Geralyn Thompson’s gelding proved best.

Runner-up was Gregory Clarke’s Dutch-bred seven-year-old Janco V (Dakar VDL - Zirocco Blue VDL) ridden by Ausra Clarke (27.85).

Floody and HTS Carnanbregha were just slightly slower in 27.86 for third, while he and Accidental Diamond recorded 28.09 for fourth.

Floody’s clear with Ballyknock Diamond (28.94) slotted into fifth. Junior rider Eoin Brennan, riding Richard Bourns German-bred Ninparo, finished in sixth.