Munster Express Online

Fresh from his victory at the Rolestown Grand Prix last weekend, an on-form Francis Connors stole the limelight again at the two-star international Grand Prix in Mullingar on Monday afternoon, where a rainstorm deluged the arena early in the competition. Riding Highfort Stud’s Irish-bred Furisto gelding ‘Merlins Magic’, the 45-year-old Waterford rider was one of only two clears in the seven-horse jump-off and pipped old rival Clem McMahon to the post by three-quarters of a second.

McMahon, riding May Scott’s ‘Caytana’, was followed in third place by an extremely fast David Blake with ‘Fabienne’, whose time – almost seven seconds faster than winner Connors’ – w as marred by a single jumping error.

Afterwards a delighted Francis said: “I’m thrilled with the win. Because of the rain earlier I took the safe option when following Clem’s clear, but it paid off nevertheless. Having this great horse is really keeping me in contention for the series.” Connors currently leads the Citroen ShowjumpingIreland Grand Prix Series with 15 points on the board.