With only two hundredths of a seconds separating the top two finishers, the Sligo rider took the win ahead of Clem McMahon.

Ten combinations made it through to the jump-off. Gallagher crossed the line clear in 33.82 seconds with the 11-year-old gelding owned by Greg Broderick Ballypatrick Stables.

Clem McMahon with Hilton Pacato (ISH) claimed runner-up spot with another clear in 33.84 seconds. Third place went to Francis Derwin (Jnr) with AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (ISH) with the only other double clear in 36.38 seconds.

Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise were the fastest of the four fault scores from the jump-off to finish fourth. Fifth place went to Greg Broderick and Gradje O. Jason Foley and and MHS Jersey Girl completed the top six.

The second leg of the Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series will take place at Portmore on May 23rd.

The post Kevin Gallagher & Ballypatrick Flamenco (ISH) take Round 1 of HSI Premier Series  appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Waterford rider took first and second place in what was a very competitive class.

Early to go in the competition, Connors delivered a clear with Luxtapose, in a time of 32.98 seconds. This was the winning time in the €2,000 class. The winner, Luxapose, is a ten-year-old gelding by Lux Z and out of the Cruising sired dam, Coosan Lass.

Returning with Rossa Lough Derg, he was almost four seconds slower when clocking 36.44 seconds. The time, however, was good enough for the runner-up spot. Rossa Lough Derg is an eight-year-old mare by Luidam and out of Cruising Lough Derg.

Jason Foley partnered Killossery Krescendo to a clear in 36.45 seconds, with the eight-year-old by Indoctro out of Killossery Kruisette, taking third place.

Slotting into fourth place was Jenny Rankin on Hey Jude, clear in 36.70 seconds. This Belgian bred gelding is by Ugano Sitte and is out of Athena van de Donkhoeve.

A clear from Madeline Roberts Allen and her own Celah Sue De Rialfo Z in 36.89 seconds proved good enough for fifth place.

Completing the top six line-up was Wicklow’s Brendan Murphy and PNP Rocco, when they crossed the line in 38.06 seconds.

The post Francis Connors takes Round 1 of Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Second to go in a strong jump-off, the pairing made it look easy as they delivered a clear in 31.69 seconds. The combination took the lion’s share of the €4,000 in the Cooley Farms sponsored round.

AHG Whiterock Cruise Down, owned by Francis Derwin, has no shortage of experience. The 12-year-old was also Kate Derwin’s 2019 European Junior gold medal mount.

In total, 77 combinations contested this round. Thirteen delivered clear rounds first time out. Of those in the top six line-up, three horses were just eight-year-olds.

The runner-up spot was filled by the Autumn Grand Prix Champion, John McEntee and Hip Girl. They went clear in 34.63 seconds. Hip Girl is a 12 -year-old Swedish Warmblood mare.

Filling third place on was Dean Rogan, riding De L’ Oiseliere. Going mid-way in the jump-off, they delivered a clear in 34.87 seconds.

A clear in 35.33 seconds for Kevin Gallagher and ESI Star Struck saw them take fourth place. Clem Mc McMahon crossed the line with nothing to add aboard TJM Amour Fou in 38.13 seconds for fifth place.

Completing the top six line-up was last week’s Grand Prix winner Tim MacDonagh. The Galway rider was partnering his own Hollypark Pacino.

The Current National Grand Prix Champion, Derek McConnell and Dothraki Warlord were last of the double clears in 39.39 seconds for seventh place.

The post Francis Derwin wins GAIN Alltech Grand Prix in Barnadown appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.