Mrs Mac Veale jumped the last in third place, but Nick Schofield got a great response from her as she surged past Baidin Fheilimi and Sox’s Girl in Limerick.

The 5/1 favourite gave English jockey Schofield his first winner in Ireland and he earned praise from the mare’s trainer Robert Murphy who said: “She was in front a bit too soon the last day. He gave her a very confident ride and he held her up the whole time.

“To get a win into her was great and she’ll keep going over the winter.”

A delighted Nick Schofield said: “I’m very thankful for the invitation over here. It’s for a super cause. It’s good to get a good mare.

“I thought Jason might have had first run on me, but they didn’t want me to hit the front too soon. The lads that train her said she had a good chance.”

Mrs Mac Veale was another horse on this card to land her first career victory when taking this two and a half mile mares’ handicap hurdle by two lengths.

By contrast, Baidin Fhelimi (11/1) was going for her third victory in total after winning twice in August. She had Jason Maguire’s assistance today and the pair were only collared late on by Mrs Mac Veale.

Sox’s Girl (11/2) and Benefitthewest (16/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively. Nick Schofield weighed in 1lb overweight on Mrs Mac Veale.

UK-based jockeys lead the challenge now by 67-62.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes