NIAMH McEvoy made her Longines Global Champions Tour debut a successful one in Shanghai last weekend, when she won the five-star 1.45m speed class with her new ride, Helen Enright’s Julius. From 28 starters, 12 posted clear rounds and, before McEvoy entered the arena, Denis Lynch already made his way onto the leader board for Ireland. Riding Chicago, he jumped clear in 67.81, a time which was good enough for eventual ninth.

Two horses later, however, McEvoy set a target of 63.87 with the 12-year-old son of Mylord Carthago, and none of the remaining five starters could catch her. German riders occupied the rest of the top-five placings, with Sophie Hinners coming closest to McEvoy having stopped the clock on 64.20 riding Iron Dames Kaleni Jo.