SATURDAY’S two-phase special turned into a real battle of speed at Mullingar Equestrian Centre when 21 of the 46 combinations delivered a double-clear round.

In the end it was young rider Molly Hughes Bravo from Kilkenny who took the honours. Riding her mother Marion’s mare HHS Fortune (Catoki x Ard VDL Douglas), the pair recorded a second round time of 25.61 to secure the top spot in the mini Grand Prix.

Sven Hadley, riding his own mare Uidam (Luidam x Cavalier Royale), finished in second place almost a second slower in 26.57.

Hadley also took third place aboard his other mount, the Swedish-bred Topspin (Etrusco x Richard of York) in 27.15.

Philip Carey and his Belgian-bred seven-year-old Perle D’Amour (Kannan - Con Capitol) were fourth in 27.52.

Molly Hughes Bravo picked up her second ribbon when she rode HHS Figero (Guidam x Cavalier) into fifth place.

Patrick Hickey and Catriona Redmond’s eight-year-old Emelee (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Lux Z) completed the line-up in sixth.