NIAMH McEvoy started the Cavan Winter Festival as she meant to go on in Friday’s WKD 1.40m Jump-Off Challenge when guiding Robin Bingham’s mare Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick to victory.

With a prize fund of €3,000 and a startlist of 69 riders, 17-year-old McEvoy proved fastest of the 15 combinations that made it through to the timed decider with the 11-year-old Limmerick x Lux Z mare.

Stopping the clock in 34.34 seconds, she was 1.86 faster than second placed Johanna Sixt and Alan Robertson’s Immun Ocean Ogara (Numero Uno x Alba) in 36.12. McEvoy managed to secure third place with her second mount Haifa OL in 36.44.

Cavan resident rider Victoria Clarke and her own German-bred 11-year-old gelding Chinatown slotted into fourth in 37.91.

Peter O’Toole’s eight-year-old gelding Ardkyle B (Aganix Du Seigneur x O-Piloth), ridden by Eddie Moloney, was fifth (38.46), while Catahl Daniels and Cappog Tomy collected sixth place (39.90).

Win for Boland

Friday’s other feature class was the Karlswood Stables-sponsored 1.30m Welcome Stakes which offered a €1,200 prize fund. It was young rider Abigail Boland and Mary Boland’s The Hurricane (Tremoelgoch Clinton), who claimed first place.

Run as a Table A speed class, Boland crossed the finish line in a very quick time of 54.08 to secure the win.

Sven Hadley and his own Topspin took the runner-up spot in 55.21, while Gerard Clarke and King Lupin were third in 57.20.

Junior rider Ella Clancy and Shooting Star (Voss x Indoctro) slotted into fourth in 57.59. John Floody and Donevale Erkindale claimed fifth, while Richard Kerins riding Achonry Carie took sixth.