FRANCIS Connors is gaining momentum on the Gain/Alltech Grand Prix leaderboard as he rode to victory in the round at Coilog Equestrian with CSF James Kann Cruz. Most riders are only too well aware that Connors, a multiple winner of the National Grand Prix league, is always one to watch.

This combination has been knocking on the door for the last few rounds, finishing second in Cork Summer Show and Maryville. The win places Connors in second place overall in the top series with only three rounds before the final at Tipperary Equestrian in September.

Speaking after the win, Francis Connors said: “I am delighted with the result. Going first is not easy and I knew I had to put it up to the rest of them. The horse just loves jumping and he can’t wait to get going once he is in the ring. He has great respect for a pole, whether its 90cm or 1.40m. He is a superstar.

“I have him since he was a five-year-old. John Mulligan produced him up to a five-year-old with much success. I produced him through the Sport Horse classes. It would have been lovely to do Lanaken with him last year as a seven-year-old but that wasn’t to be. The plan for next week is the HSI Premier in Mullingar and then on to the RDS.”

First to go against the clock, Connors knew what was needed as he took to the track with CSF James Kann Cruz. The Waterford man kept it tight throughout the course and negotiated a tight turn back to the double and then to the blue oxer to set the winning time of 39.24 seconds.

Bred by Galway’s Patrick Connolly and owned Anne Clancy and Mary Gannon, CSF James Kann Cruz is an eight-year-old gelding by Kannan out of the Cruising-sired CSF Telly Cruz. He is a full brother to CSF Kan Cruz, competing up CSI3* level with English rider Isobel Stenning.

Under Connors’ command this year, the pair have picked up points in the rounds at Wexford, Cork and Maryville. This young horse has impressed this season including being fifth in the HSI Premier Series at Balmoral after incurring a single time fault in the first round. They also took fourth place in the RDS qualifiers in Mullingar after jumping a double clear round.

Competitive action

With the cancellation of Tattersalls, Coilog was a late edition to the Grand Prix calander but there was a good turnout for the class, with 33 combinations taking on the Tom Holden-designed course.

Edward Doyle proved that time could be beaten as he clocked 38.43 with Flexability, but with a pole down at fence two, he had to settle for fifth place on this occasion. Owned and bred by Lisa Cawley, the 10-year-old mare is by Flexible out of Diamond Ballerina.

It was a good week for Doyle as he had claimed the win in the 1.35m Connolly Red Mills Grand Prix in Kilfarrasy.

Jamie Garland answered all the questions with her father Robert’s Zedlepplin in 48.51 which saw them slot into third place. This 12-year-old is by Luidam and out of Tillula.

Captain Geoff Curran landed a double clear with Kilrue in 49.13 for eventual fourth. Another eight-year-old, the gelding was bred by Stacey Babes and is by Balou Du Rouet out of SVS Springball.

Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Galloway went into this round in a strong position leading the standings, and an extra four points when finishing in sixth place was enough to maintain this place. Similar to Doyle, the pair had a very fast time, clocking 38.69, but four faults at the first fence meant a win was out of sight on this occasion.

Bred by John McCann and owned by Jackie Lee, Hollypark Galloway is a 11-year-old by Castlelawn Galloway out of the Diamond Lad-sired Whitestown Diamond.

Next to go, Edward Doyle also maintained a clean sheet aboard Guru, but their time of 41.30 would see them take the runner-up place.

Owned by Gerard Campbell, the 10-year-old gelding is by Cassini Gold out of the Ovidius-sired Alexia. This is a relatively new charge for Doyle, having taken over the ride from his owner in June.