JUNIOR rider Francis Derwin is proving to be a real contender in the race to win the Gain Equine Nutrition/Alltech Ireland National Grand Prix title as he recorded his third win of the series at Cork Summer Show.

Riding Deep Pockets, the Athlone rider saw off the challenge of nine others in the jump-off. Derwin secured his first win in Barnadown with AGH Whiterock Cruise Down, followed up at Cavan with Deep Pockets. He also took a runner-up place at Portmore with Killerisk Can Ya. The Cork win now puts Derwin at the top end of the leaderboard with only seven rounds remaining in the series.

Owned by Francis’ uncle Jim Derwin, and bred by Charles Pidgeon in Co Westmeath, Deep Pockets is a 12-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality 004 out of Simply Chic (Cruising). The gelding was previously successfully campaigned by Francis’ sister Kate at Premier Series level.

In total 22 took on the challenge set by course designer Tony Hurley and from those, half maintained clean sheets in the jump-off.

First to go against the clock with Erne Riverrun, Francis Connors kept it tight from the oxer at one and then on to the vertical. He also got a good shot to the double and then back to the last line, setting the time to beat, clear in 46.28. Owned and bred by Hugh Fitzpatrick, the eight-year-old gelding is by Antaeus out of Erne Clover Z.

Madeline Roberts Allen and Celah Sue De Rialfo Z took a similar route to Connors but crossed the line fractions behind in 43.71. Owned by Roberts, the 10-year-old Belgian-bred mare is by Coupe de Coeur out of the Caletto 11-sired Olala.

Just two horses later, the winning time was set as Francis Derwin Jnr came home clear in 40.27 aboard Deep Pockets. Derwin kept it extremely tight from one to two and then on to the oxer at fence three. A tight turn back from the Botanica oxer to the double saw him well up on time and another good turn to the last saw his slice 3.5 seconds off the target.

Tim MacDonagh and the Jackie Lee-owned Hollypark Galloway set off in a determined pace, but four faults at the Botanica Oxer in 41.12 would later prove good enough for eventual sixth. MacDonagh didn’t go home too disappointed as the Galway rider added four points to his tally and is on the top end of the leaderboard with Floody and Derwin.

Double handed in the jump-off, Francis Connors returned with CSF James Kann Cruz and improved on his earlier performance, delivering a clear in 43.66, for the runner-up spot ahead of Madeline Roberts Allen (Celah Sue De Rialfo Z). Owned by Anne Clancy and Mary Gannon and bred by Patrick Connolly, CSF James Kann Cruz is a 12-year-old gelding by Kannan out of CSF Telly Cruz.

Competing in her first National Grand Prix, Waterford young rider Orla Quelly opted for the safer approach with Gentleman-Time. Posting a clear in 47.39, she finished just behind Francis Connors and Erne Riverrun in fifth place. Owned by her father John, the 10-year-old gelding is by Quality Time out of Desteny van de Molendreef.

Win for O’Donnell

Also last Sunday, Paddy O’Donnell took the win in the 1.25m with Angela Lynch’s Seefin Suprise, clear in 18.34. O’Donnell was chased home by LT James Whyte and Templetouhy (18.44). A clear from Ryan Sweetnam with One and Only Spartacus (20.23) saw him take third place, ahead of Francis Connors and Primo Aliboo Blue ABF (20.48). Connors also took fifth place with Much Loved, clear in 21.28. Sweetnam took another share of the prize fund when he delivered another clear, this time with Dik De Bois D’Elle (22.81) for sixth place.

Victory for Moran

On Saturday, young rider Robyn Moran led the victory lap in the Connolly’s Red Mills 1.35m Grand Prix. Riding James Mahon’s Coolminga Inspector Royal, they crossed the line clear in 33.22. Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Pacino took second place, clear in 35.55.

Not content with the win, Moran and the Vera Griffin-owned Cushlas Fryday kept all the poles in place in 38.67 for third. Fourth place belonged to Rhys Williams and Cowboy Balou, clear in 38.79, ahead of Francis Connors and Cino Lady, clear in 40.18. Madeline Roberts Allen completed the line-up when she partnered her own Daroento Vdl to a clear in 40.63.