FORMER Hickstead Derby winner Paul Beecher won a hugely competitive opening round of the new €20,000 FBD Speed Series, at Ballylawn Show near Kill Co Waterford on bank holiday Monday.

Beecher, from Tallow, Co Waterford, was riding the Tim Beecher-owned eight-year-old gelding Loughnatousa Zidane and was the only rider to finish double clear in under 30 seconds.