FRANCIS Derwin Jnr won Saturday’s feature class, the 1.40m Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix in Cavan.

Riding the ever-reliable gelding AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (Cruisings Micky Finn x Touchdown), Derwin saw off stiff competition in the 10-way jump-off to claim the lion’s share of the €4,000 on offer.

Of the 52 starters, just 10 produced a first-round clear. Two just missed out, collecting a single time fault, while seven had one fence down for four faults and 10 had two down.

Remarkably, Derwin recorded the winning time of 40.76 seconds as second to go in the decider. First in, Ausra Clarke and the Dutch-bred Janco V (Dakar VDL x Zirocco Blue VDL) stopped the clock at 42.80 for fourth place.

Lee Carey was third to go with Luxity, once again they left all the poles in place, crossing the finish in 42.15 for the runner-up spot.

Home-bred mare

Aimee Barry and Garryndruig Limoncello (Amaretto Darco x Cruising), Francis Derwin and Destina Du Mesnil Z (Dobel Van’t Zorgvliet x Casco) and Clem McMahon riding GBBS Ltd’s French-bred Grand Prix DK all had one fence down. Sandwiched between them was Jonathan Smyth with the Ann Doherty-owned and bred Crystal Graf (Lux Z x Graf Magna). They finished in third place in 42.55.

Marti Rudd’s eight-year-old home-bred mare Monbeg Ruby (Diamant De Semilly x Boherdeal Clover) stopped the clock at 40.76 for sixth place.

Nicole Walker’s 10-year-old stallion Cloudio (Casallx Cassini I), ridden by Tobias Kuhlage, had one fence down, while Aoife McCabe and her own Heritage Enigma (Eldorado van de Zeshoek x Canturo) were double clear in 47.42 to finish in fifth place.

The next round of the league takes place today (Saturday) at the Flavours of Fingal show in Newbridge Farm, with the following round being held in Charleville, Co Cork, tomorrow.