NATIONAL Grand Prix Champions, Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out returned to Portmore to claim the Bluegrass Horse Feeds £6,000 SJI Autumn Grand Prix at the centre’s Autumn Championships for the second year in a row, when they delivered the only double clear of the class.

Owned by Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig, Mulvin Lights Out is an 11-year-old gelding by Kroongraaf and out of the Diamond Serpent-sired dam, Diamond Vicky. This combination finished off a great season, also taking the National Grand Prix title for the second year in a row. They finished the league with a win in the final round in Mullingar in September.

In total, 24 combinations lined out on Sunday afternoon to take on the Rafael Suarez-designed track and, from the original starters, just three booked their place against the clock.

Smyth maximised his chances of a win, as he also booked his place with the eight-year-old Mulvin Cliodam. First to go against the clock, this combination proved out of luck when they faulted at the second oxer. Their time of 40.97 would later prove good enough for third place.

Owned and bred by Richard Smyth, the mare is by Luidam and is out of the HHS BR Charlton-sired dam, Charlton Clio. This combination recently claimed the 1.35m open championship in the Northern Indoor Championship. In July, they also took third place in the 1.35m HHS Annual Charity Show.

Next up, Clem McMahon wasted no time with the Derry Kingston-owned Athea Clover Trend, however, he also faulted at the same fence as Smyth. A faster time of 39.32 was enough to put him in the lead and later into second place. Bred by John Joe Tierney, the 10-year old gelding is by Future Trend and is out of the Clover Clon VII-sired dam, Athea Clover Breeze. On home soil, this combination has moved up to 1.50m level this year, after taking the win in the Gain Alltech Grand Prix in Omagh.

Last to go

All eyes were on last to go, Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out. No strangers to this type of pressure, they kept it tight throughout the course and took the inside line to the fence after the double, on to the tall vertical and stopped the clock in a time of 39.88 to take the win.

Junior rider Alfie Adair proved out of luck when he incurred four faults at fence 10 in the first round aboard Tullyneagh, but a fast time of 68.67 saw them take fourth place. Owned and bred by David Conlon, the 11-year-old gelding is by Beach Ball and out of the Clover Hill-sired dam, Merry Maeve.

Fellow junior rider, Katie McEntee, also had one on the ground with Roundthorn Hercules, but in a slower time of 71.70 for fifth place. Owned by Samantha Dale and bred by Patrica Connon, the 11-year-old gelding is by Colestus and is out of the Manhattan-sired dam, Tessa Roundthorn.

Making the trip from County Meath, Gerard Clarke filled sixth place with Lupins Lux Z, when he crossed the line carrying four faults in a time of 73.60. Owned and bred by Patrick and Clare Sutton, the 13-year-old (ISH) gelding is by Lux Z and is out of the Cruising-sired dam, Thornfield Lupin.