Irish riders initiated a clean sweep of the prizes on the opening day of international action at the £70,000 Millstreet Derby meeting yesterday, and the home side's domination looks set to continue as there are only three foreign competitors signed up for the senior classes at the six-day fixture, two of whom are Irish-based.
Land Rover League leader Clement McMahon captured the day's richest cash prize when a daring gallop to the final fence in the Horseware Products Derby qualifier brought Hilton Clover's nose across the finish line in 36.78.
Robert Splaine (Ballymoss) and Marion Hughes (Vaor d'Isigny) disputed the runner-up slot, with the verdict going to the Corkman, by just one hundredth of a second.
Earlier, the IFA-sponsored speed stakes gave Clareman Adrian Williams a taste of international success when he pipped former speed champion Joan Greene by over two seconds.
Millstreet Derby Meeting - IFA Derby qualifier: 1, Multi Clover (Adrian Williams); 2, Abbey Duchess (Joan Greene); 3, Charlton (Miguel Bravo). Horseware Products Derby qualifier: 1, Hilton Clover (Clement McMahon); 2, Ballymoss (Robert Splaine); 3, Vaor d'Isigny (Marion Hughes).
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