MIKEY Pender made sure some of the glory remained at home, when he won the Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix, supported by Grovendale Sales, Kentucky, USA, in HHS last Sunday.

Riding Bravo Hughes Ltd’s home-bred mare HHS Los Angeles (Le Roi x Cavalier Royale), Pender set the time to beat at 38.92 seconds, as first to go in the six-way jump-off.

Comdt. Geoff Curran came closest to catching him aboard the Minister for Defence’s 10-year-old gelding Derrycush (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Aldato), bred by Alfie Hillen. They stopped the clock at 39.45 to claim the runner-up spot.

Junior Katie McEntee took third place riding Gerry Marron’s home-bred gelding Kinmar Bespoke (O-Piloth x Aganix Du Seigneur) in 39.47.

Fourth place also went to Pender as the fastest four-faulter with his second mount, the eight-year-old HHS Cyprus. The home-bred gelding is by Cornet Obolensky, out of HHS Acorado, by Acorado.

Jack Brennan was fifth with his mother Sinead’s home-bred MHS I’m The One (Lancelot x Cavalier Royale), while sixth was Jack Ryan and Northlawn Farm Ltd’s eight-year-old Belgian-bred Soblensky VH Scheefkasteel Z (Sir Obolensky Z x Diamant de Semily).

The next round of the National Grand Prix takes place today (July 20th) at the National Balmoral Championships in Lisburn. Francis Derwin Jnr continues to hold a big league lead.