WATERFORD’s Paul Beecher and Seryna Van Kuelen’s Danqu won the opening round of the 1.30m Grand Prix in the O’Brien’s Saddlery Series in Maryville on Wednesday. Beecher was third into the ring and set the very fast time of 27.61.

It was a nail-biting finish to the class when last to go, Gemma Phelan on board James Noonan’s Cullinagh UG, stopped the clock at 27.99 to take second place. It was a good day out for Phelan who also took fifth pace riding Victoria Foster’s eight-year-old ABC Ballycruise in 32.64 as well as sixth place on board Thomas Hyland’s Coolisheal Lance in 32.96. Completing the line up in third place was Madeline Roberts Allen riding her own Celah Sue De Rialfo Z in 30.91, and Philip Horgan took fourth on Cathal McMunn’s eight-year-old Loughan Special in 31.29.