LEAGUE leader John McEntee added a fourth Autumn Grand Prix victory to his already impressive tally in Cavan last Saturday.

This brings his league points up to 48, 10 ahead of his nearest rival with three rounds to go.

Partnered by Stephex Stables’ 11-year-old Swedish-bred mare Hip Girl, the pair crossed the finish line in 31.35 seconds to secure the win in the 1.35m class. Hip Girl is by Hip Hop out of Mysterious Girl, by Carthago.

Second place went to John Mulligan and his own eight-year-old mare Mohill Rosetta. By the Belgian stallion Omar, she is out of Glenda Bahrain, by Glen Bar and was bred by Martin McGlynn. They finished just behind the winner with 31.83 on the clock.

Denyse Hughes’ Ballyknock Diamond, a 12-year-old Jacomar - Touchdown gelding, ridden by John Floody finished in third place in 32.39.

Paul Beecher and Seryna Van Kuelen’s 12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding Damqu took fourth in 32.83, while Floody and his second mount Kevin and Geralyn Thompson’s Donevan Erkindale were fifth.

Robert Harrison completed the line-up taking sixth aboard Ladlystes Rubina in 34.62.

Win for Doyle

Friday’s 1.35m jump-off competition was not a round of the Autumn League and therefore did not attract the same large entries; just 11 lined out and it was Edward Doyle who topped proceedings.

Riding Frances Horgan’s home-bred nine-year-old stallion Kingship Courcel (by Dow Jones Courcel out Porsch Lady, by Porsch), Doyle set a target of 35.27 to take the win.

Children on Horses rider Katie Nallon and Judy Murphy’s Javas True Colours were the runners-up. By Luidam out of Javas Purple Rain by Courage 2, the pair recorded a time of 37.28.

Edward Doyle Jnr and Lisa Cawley’s Flexibility were third. By Flex A Bill out of Diamond Ballerina by Diamond Lad, the gelding passed through the finish in 39.46.

Clem McMahon and two of his seven-year-olds up and coming string slotted into fourth and fifth place.

Legaland Team Spirit, a stallion owned by Gary McNamara is by Sandro Boy out of Dy-Odlesse, by Heartbreaker, and was bred by Joe Reilly. His time of 43.80 was good enough for fourth place.

McMahon’s second mount, John Boland’s Lux Excel, a gelding by Lux Z out of Kingcora Cruise by Cruising, was bred by Thomas Madigan.