SATURDAY’s £5,000 Roxborough Ground Improvements-sponsored 1.40m speed class at the National Balmoral Championships saw 51 combinations battle it out.

Claiming this victory was Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out when they put in a blistering round of 62.72. The 11-year-old gelding is co-owned by the Smyths and Roy Craig. He is by Kroongraaf out of the Diamond Serpent-sired Diamond Vicky. Defending National Grand Prix Champions, they are currently top of the 2023 leaderboard.

Little divided the next placing as Max O’Reilly Hyland set the pace early in the class, clocking 62.98 with Babar de Bussy for eventual second place. Mikey Pender took the longer route with the Catherine Walsh-owned Highcross Violet, delivering a clear in 64.49 for third place.

Elaine O’Neill and the Keith Ennis-owned Olympic ‘GL’ ‘FVD’ also played it safe and delivered a clear in 69.84 for eventual fourth. Kildare’s Edward Doyle Jnr and the Joanne Fox-owned eight-year-old Pembrook King of Kings also came home clear, but in the slower time of 73.33 for fifth place. This home-bred is by Diamant De Semilly out of Pembrook Lisalea (Lux Z).

Completing the top six was Daniel McAlinden aboard the Sharon Fitzpatrick-owned Keatingstown Z Wellie Two, clear in 73.67. The 12-year-old gelding is by Z Wellie 72 and is out of Marchlonesse.