NIAMH MCEVOY and Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick won the feature class on Friday at the Irish Breeders’ Classic in Barnadown, the North Star 1.45m Grand Prix.

The pair just missed out on this title back in 2021 when they came second to Eddie Moloney and Temple Alice.

There was no stopping them this time, as they sailed through the finish in 38.47 as last to go in the jump-off to secure the win and the lion’s share of the €5,000 prize fund.

Owned by Robin Bingham, the 13-year-old mare by Limmerick out of Go Luckey (Lux Z) has been an outstanding servant for McEvoy.

In 2022 they won the Grand Prix class at the international shows in Balmoral, Mullingar and Tattersalls and earlier this year they were part of the young rider team that claimed gold at the European Championships.

Clearly on-form, McEvoy also went on to win the penultimate round of the Gain/Alltech Grand Prix at Barnadown on Saturday with her other ride, BP Hybernia.

Just seven of the 38 starters produced a clear first round to progress to the timed decider over course designer John Doyle’s 13 fence track on Friday.

Six combinations started against the clock with Nicholas Butler electing to withdraw Lady Castle Paco (Pacino x Nabab de Reve).

First to go, Madeline Roberts Allen and her own mare Celah Sur De Rialfo Z (Coupe De Coeur x Caletto III) had two fences down for eventual sixth place.

Emma O’Dwyer, riding her own Bear Bay Alessandro (First Fighter x Pyrrhus), posted the first double clear in a time of 44.08 which would be good enough for third place.

Edward Doyle Jnr and his home-bred Quick Bill (Flex A Bill x Quick Star) would have just one on the ground plus two for time for fourth place.

Mikey Pender and Marion Hughes’ stallion Chacco Bay (Chaccato x Heops) produced the second double clear in a faster 39.11 to claim the runner-up spot.

Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig’s Mulvin Lights Out (Kroongraaf x Diamond Serpent), ridden by Jonathan Smyth, also had two down for fifth place.

McEvoy was last to go and guided Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick to a superb clear in 38.47 for the win.