Kildare rider Mikey Pender claimed his first win in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix on Saturday in Portmore Equestrian.
Riding Javas Gucci, an eight-year-old gelding, he took home the winner’s share of the €4,000 on offer in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds-sponsored class.
Pender, who returned from a successful tour in Europe, has made his presence felt on the National Circuit. Last weekend at The Irish Breeders Class at Barnadown, he took second place in the five-year-old All Studbook class with Cubix van de Berghoeve Z and fifth in the 1.50m Grand Prix with HHS Calais.
Reigning National Grand Prix Champion Liam O’Meara took second when clocking 43.43 seconds, ahead of Derek McConnell and Dothraki in 44.74 seconds.
Tim MacDonagh also put in a foot perfect round with Hollypark Galloway, but a slower time of 45.48 seconds proved good enough for fourth place in the line-up.
Philip Gaw and Ardnacashel Coovella stopped the clock in 45.52 seconds for fifth place, edging out Adam Carey and Quebello D who produced a clear round in 45.69 seconds for sixth place.
