Derry native Jordan Coyle put his first points on the TRM/ Horseware Premier Series leaderboard     Bank Holiday Monday when claiming victory at Mullingar International CSI 2*. Riding Gerard Sharkey's 10 year-old mare VDL Cassius, Coyle took home the winner’s share of the €24,500 on offer in the Ballynegall Feeds sponsored class.

Coyle said; “It was a particularly good win for me as I have produced the mare from a five-year-old. When it’s a two round competition, the standings can change very quickly in the second round. With that in mind, I knew that I needed to deliver a clear, but at same time keep an eye on the clock. Most of the riders made up time in the turn back to the Horseware fence, but I made it up in the turn back to the next vertical. After that I just kept the pace up and it paid off”.

With the difficult weather conditions playing havoc with the jumping schedule, the TRM/ Horseware Premier Series was forced to move into the international sand arena.  Despite the adverse weather conditions, it didn’t seem to affect the rider's performance, with a total of eight riders proceeding to the second round. Of the eight combinations, six were on zero faults, while two carried a single time fault. However, with the pressure on in the second round, only three combinations delivered double clear rounds.

First to go with just a single time fault on his record sheet was Seamus Hayes aboard Baricello W. Making no such mistake second time out, Hayes added nothing to his first round score and a quick time of  39.10 later proved good enough for eventual fourth. Also carrying a single time fault from the first round was Susan Fitzpatrick and Cavalino. The young rider started off strong but later opted to retire when things didn’t go according to plan.

Speed merchant against the clock, Ger O’ Neill wasted no time with Go For It 2, but despite finishing on zero penalties his time of 35.49 seconds proved good enough for the runner-up spot.

Making the most of her late draw, Catherine Thornton knew what she needed to take the lead. Riding Derryinver Luxury Cruise, she made up time in the turn back from the TRM fence to the Horseware vertical, this along with a good gallop to the last saw her clock 37.65 for third.

Next in, Edward Doyle maintained the pressure as he took all the tight lines with the big striding Mullaghdrin Touch The Stars. However, four faults in 36.74 proved good enough for fifth place. Sophie Dalm also incurred four faults with Remake Lande, but a slower pace of 37.78 seconds saw her slot into sixth.

Third last to go in second round, Coyle wasted no time as he negotiated a series of tight turns and delivered a double clear in 34.74 seconds.

Opting to take a more cautious approach with Poker Des Dames cost Nicola Fitzgibbon dearly, as four faults in time of 39.94 proved only good enough for seventh place.