Dermott Lennon rode to victory in the second round of the 1.40m GAIN Alltech National Grand Prix in Portmore yesterday. The County Down rider clinched the win aboard Anthem In my Heart, when he was one of only two double clears in a time of 38.57. Lennon had previously claimed sixth place in the opening round with MJM Pursuit.

Owned by Lennon, Anthem In my Heart is a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. The combination have only recently returned from Europe from a successful tour in Vejer de la Frontera CSI4*. Their good results include second and third place in a 1.40m two phase and fourth in a 1.45m Table A.

In total 33 combinations went to post, and from those five booked their place against the clock over the Rafael Suarez designed course. The other clear was delivered by young rider Alex Finney, who took the more careful approach with MHS Style and came home in a time of 40.46. Owned by Alex’s mother Jean and bred by the late Ita Brennan, MHS Style is an eight-year-old mare, by Kannan and out of the Guidam sired dam, MHS Lady Guidam. Defending champions and winners of the opening round, Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out put more points on the board when they were fastest of the four faulters in a time of 40.63 for third place. This result means that they still remain top of the leaderboard on 16 points.

Shane O’ Reilly also had one on the ground with Brian Mc Conville’s Lancer Luck, but a time of 43.79 proved good enough for eventual fourth place. Bred by Thomas Whelan, the nine-year-old gelding is by Castleforbes Lord Lancer and is out of Dalystown Lass.

Comdt. Geoff Curran opted out of the second round with Tempo Manor, but a clear in 75.92 in the first round saw him claim fifth place. The 11-year-old gelding was bred by Noel Wright and is by Sligo Candy Boy and is out of Roxy Lux. This combination also competed in the CSI4* tour in Vejer de la Frontera.

Runner-up in the opening round at the Meadows, Angela Waras completed the top six line-up when she was fastest of the four faulters in the first round in a time of 73.78.