O'Connor Takes Pole Position In Kerrygold Grand Prix League

Twenty-three year old Kildare rider Cian O'Connor jumped to the top of the Kerrygold Grand Prix league rankings after a win at the Louth County Show in Dundalk today (Sunday).

Riding his 2002 Kerrygold Puissance winner <Irish Independent Casper>, O'Connor came home clear, and more than a second faster than runner-up Clem McMahon on the May Scott-owned <Gelvin Clover>, while the Army Equitation School's Lieutenant Shane Carey brought <Lismakin> into Sixth with one pole down - a repeat of his performance at Coilog last week.

O'Connor, who kicks off his European season at Maubeuge in France next week, said: <It was a very well-built technical track by Tom Holden, and it was a good preparation for me as I head off abroad. The standard was high, and I was delighted to win.>

O'Connor also saw his former ride, Castlemartin Stud's <Normandy>, take Fourth Place today, ridden by his protegé, Dan Walsh.

There were eight riders through to the jump-off at Dundalk.

KERRYGOLD GRAND PRIX LEAGUE SHOW JUMPING RESULT: Louth County Show,
Dundalk Sunday April 27

€3,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix
Sunday, April 27, 2003
1) Irish Independent Casper (Owner: Cian O'Connor); Cian O'Connor
Faults 0/0 Time 41.35
2) Gelvin Clover (Owner: May Scott); Clem McMahon Faults 0/0 Time 42.80
3) Cruise Forever (Owner: Andrew Dunlop); Andrew Dunlop Faults 0/0 Time
42.95
4) Normandy (Owner: Castlemartin Stud); Dan Walsh Faults 0/0 Time 53.48
5) Chippison (Owner: Marie Burke); Marie Burke Faults 0/0 Time 53.52
6) Lismakin (Owner: Minster for Defence) Lt. Shane Carey Faults 0/4
Time 40.86

KERRYGOLD GRAND PRIX League Rankings after Louth County Show, Dundalk

1) Cian O'Connor 13 points
2) Capt. Gerry Flynn 10 points
=3) Michael Kearins 8 points
=3) Clem McMahon 8 points
=4) Stephen Smith 6 points
=4) Andrew Dunlop 6 points

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