THURSDAY at the Balmoral National Championships in Lisburn saw the €3,000 UR Wilson Auctions 1.35m Grand Prix take place. Donegal’s Kenneth Graham took the honours with Beir Bua when best of 16 double clears in 34.44 seconds.

Owned by Graham, the 13-year-old mare was bred by the late Harold McGahern by Lancelot out of Rincoola Bua (Cruising). Graham has produced this mare from the age of four and has clocked up many top results up to National Grand Prix level.

Patrick Hickey came closest to catching the winner, coming home clear in 35.01 with Emelee. Owned by Catriona Redmond, the nine-year-old mare is by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of the Lux Z mare Lux Forever.

Less than a second behind was Max O’Reilly Hyland and his own French-bred Babar de Bussy, clear in 35.61 for eventual third.

Brendan Murphy and Ashley Stephens’ PNP Rocco (Chacoa x Farney Clover) took fourth when they came home clear in 35.69. This combination recently won the 1.35m Mervue in Adamstown.

A clear from Jake Hunter and Chappo Chey in 37.96 proved good enough for fifth place. He was previously owned by Carl Hanley and Equine Management. Under the guidance of Hunter last year, they duo won the two-star 1.45m Grand Prix at Millstreet.

Young rider Alex Finney and Absolutely Kingmar Z also kept the poles in place, albeit in a slower time of 38.69 for sixth place. Owned by Alex’s mother Jean and bred by Gerry Marron, the 11-year-old mare is by Aganix Du Seigneur out of Class of Touch Hero (Radco D’Houtveld).