WINNER of the final leg of the Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix league a week earlier at Barnadown, Thurles-based Northern rider Niamh McEvoy got her autumn season off to a great start, as she took the opening leg of the SJI Autumn Grand Prix at Mullingar last Sunday.

Riding BP Limitless, she delivered the winning round in 30.13 seconds in the eight-horse jump-off. Owned by Max O’Reilly Hyland and bred by Austin Broderick, the nine-year-old mare is by Elvis Ter Putte out of Ballypatrick Flight (Laughton’s Flight).

Of the 26 starters, some 10 combinations booked their place against the clock for the €4,000 on offer. Two withdrew before the jump-off to leave eight to take it on.

McEvoy’s closest rival was Comdt Geoff Curran and DHF Alliance when they crossed the line just fractions behind in 30.35. Owned by Jessica Stallard and the Minister for Defence, the nine-year-old mare by Ard VDL Douglas is bred by Paul Douglas out of Rosie Bee (Lux Z). This was another in an excellent line of results for this pair on the home scene, having claimed second in the National Grand Prix in June, as well as winning the Royal Dublin Society Stakes at the five-star Dublin Horse Show last month.

Second Lt Raphael Lee was over three seconds behind with Kilfenora in 33.65 for third place. Owned by the Minister for Defence, the 11-year-old Anna Kennedy-bred gelding is by KEC Maximum Joe, out of the Aldatus Z mare KEC Leapalli.

Accounting for fourth place was Daren Hopkins and Ballywalter Stables’ Callisto Blanc (Cantolar x Cartogran) in 34.03. The 10-year-old gelding was bred by Gestut Lewitz.

Fifth place belonged to Aoife McCabe aboard her own Heritage Enigma, when they crossed the line in 34.66 seconds. Bred by Anne-Marie O’Gorman, the nine-year-old mare is by Eldorado van de zeshoek out of the Canturo-sired dam Claudi.

Derek McConnell was fractions of a second behind with Sorcha Hennessy’s Inlaws Manolo (Corland x Lord Z), bred by Tomas Hester, in 34.89 for sixth place.