Equestrianism: Mullins makes mark on Pallas to win Grand Prix: Ireland pull off their second major win at the Nations Cup meeting

GERRY MULLINS gave the Irish their second major win of the Nations Cup meeting when he rode the battling little mare, Pallas Grean, to win yesterday's British Grand Prix.

The Irishman, second to go in the jump-off, had not thought that his clear round would be good enough for victory. But, though eight of his rivals were faster, no one else was clear. Michael Whitaker, riding last year's winner, Everest Midnight Madness, was fastest to finish runner-up.

John Renwick, 22, extended his impressive tally of wins at Hickstead when he rode the seven-year-old stallion, Fervent, to victory in the Hickstead Chase.

David Broome, now retired from international jumping, took his place in ring two yesterday where he used his expertise with telling effect to win the Hickstead Open on his young horse, Showman.

In Britain's Nations Cup team for tomorrow, Kelly Brown joins the Whitaker brothers and Nick Skelton.

HICKSTEAD NATIONS CUP MEETING: British Grand Prix: 1 Pallas Grean (Cmdt G Mullins, Ire) clear, 56.68sec; 2 Everest Midnight Madness (M Whitaker, GB) 4 flts, 48.54; 3 President Papillon (R-Y Bost, Fr) 4 flts, 49.23. Hickstead Chase: 1 Fervent (J Renwick, GB) clear, 55.86; 2 Blue Grass (R Splaine, Irl) clear, 56.04; 3 Uallis (A Ledermann, Fr) clear, 56.47. Hickstead Open: 1 Showman (D Broome, GB) clear, 47.26; 2 Findon Rigel (J Bunyan, GB) clear, 47.51; 3 Goldpfiel (A Bradley, GB) clear, 47.95.