It was a well worthwhile journey from Tipperary to Cavan for Liam O’Meara as he won the Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix League at Cavan last Sunday riding Mr Coolcaum. The Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour champion took his first win of the national league when clear in 38.98 seconds and also took sixth place with Helen Sheridan’s Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight.

Mr Coolcaum is a 12-year-old gelding by Coolcaum Hill out of Ranch Lady. O’Meara said: “It was great to have the win but I was equally as pleased with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight as he is only an eight-year-old and it was a competitive class.”

There was a strong start list of 49 riders, 12 of those booked their place to the decider over the Stuart Clarke-designed course.Mervyn Clarke and his new charge, the nine-year-old Askari-sired stallion Aramis 573, were clear in 39.79, good enough for second place.

Neal Fearon added to his leader board tally when clear with Ivor Broderick’s nine-year-old Clinton-sired KMS Clintland for third.Riding for Bourns Sport Horses, Jenny Rankin slotted into fourth place with Baccarat in 40.92, while Roisin Fagan and Ikan were fractions behind in 41.17 for fifth place.

The next round of the Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix League takes place in Ballinasloe on 28 May.