NATIONAL Grand Prix Champions Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out put their first win of the SJI Autumn Grand Prix Series on the board last Sunday at Portmore Equestrian. The combination put in a very fast round, stopping the clock in a time of 33.94 seconds to take home the winner’s share of the £3,000 in the Bluegrass-sponsored class.

The 10-year-old gelding was bought by Smyth’s father at Goresbridge and he is now co-owned by the Smyths and Roy Craig. He is by Kroongraaf out of the Diamond Serpent-sired Diamond Vicky.

He has clocked up numerous results on the Grand Prix circuit this year, which includes a win in the final round of the Gain Equine Nutrition/Alltech Grand Prix at the Irish Breeders’ Classic and second in the round at Tattersalls and also third at National Balmoral.

From a starting field of 20 combinations, four booked their place against the clock and three of those delivered double clears.

Nicole Kershaw and the eight-year-old Clovalent took the runner-up spot when they kept all the poles in place in a time of 35.32. Owned by Keonan Stables and bred by Mary McCann, this eight-year-old mare is by Valent out of the Cruising-sired Cruising May Clover.

Winner of the round at Tipperary last week, Edward Doyle added to his leaderboard tally as he took third place with Quick Bill when he lodged the final clear in 37.03. Bred by Edward Doyle Snr, the nine-year-old gelding is by Flexabill out of the Quick Star-sired Nalmund De La Tourette.

Smyth returned to take fourth place with Crystal Graf when they had an unfortunate four faults to cross the line in 36.51. Owned by Ann Doherty and bred by her late husband Anthony Doherty from Donegal, the 11-year-old gelding is by Lady Graf out of the Graf Magna-sired Lady Graf. This combination has been in the line-up of late, taking third in the round at Northern Indoor Championships and second in the Masters.

Runner-up in the opening round in Mullingar, young rider Lee Carey and Kan Cruise accounted for fifth place, when he was the fastest of the four-faulters in the first round, stopping the clock in 70.53. Owned by Leo Carey and bred by John Carey, the nine-year-old is by Kannan out of the Cruising-sired Ms Cruise.

Also suffering four faults in the first round in a slower time of 74.58 was Harry Marshall and Daylight VHS Z. This eight-year-old Zangersheide mare is by Douglas out of the Indorado-sired Morningstar.

Win for Blair

Winner of the 1.20m Championship on Sunday was Joanne Blair when she delivered the winning clear in 24.94 aboard her own Mon Ami (ISH). Blair was chased home by Lisa Priestley who also delivered a clear aboard Derryinver Premier Sarah, albeit in a slower time of 25.50. Slotting into third place was Stacey Whatling and the Jordan Coyle-owned CBI Mrs Kroon (6yo), clear in 26.34.

Leading the victory lap in the 1.10m Championship after a hotly contested class was young rider Charlotte Harding. Riding Lucy Johnson’s five-year-old Bluestone Diamond Fly, she delivered the winning clear in 22.45. Little separated the next placings as Heather Denholm went clear with Warrington in 22.82. Third place belonged to Emma Jackson and her own Kylestone Cashel, who posted a clear in 22.86.

Young riders filled the top two slots in the 1m Championship. Taking the win on this occasion was Emma Mooney and her own five-year-old Crystal Belle, clear in 25.08. The runner-up place was filled by young rider Trudie Hermione McCoosh, also on a five-year-old, Elamo She’s A Show Girl, clear in 25.33. Slotting into third place was Emma Jackson, who was riding her own four-year-old RRS Joe, and came home with nothing to add in a time of 25.36.