Trevor Breen picked up his first Grand Prix victory of the domestic season when winning the latest round of the Premier League series at Boswell Equestrian, Co. Wicklow on Sunday.
In favourable weather conditions over Killian Clarke's course, Breen was one of only eight riders who survived the opening round from a starting field of 27.
Among the first round casualties were Greg Broderick and Cian O'Connor, both of whom had been hoping to cut into Clem McMahon's lead in the series.
While Broderick still has a chance with two more rounds to come, O'Connor's first round four faults on an otherwise in-form Complete all but rule out his chances of taking the title when the decider takes place in Millstreet in three weeks' time.
Paul O'Shea was first into the jump-off today with Daydream St. Ghyban Z, and the pairing were setting a blistering pace but got caught out at the last fence.
Next up was Tholm Keane who had both parts of the double down, and it was up to third pairing Edward Doyle and Utopia to deliver the first double-clear, coming home in 38.08.
This was quickly eroded by Breen on Oldtown Katie who were over three seconds quicker.
A refusal and one down then ruled Andrew Bourns out of the reckoning, following whom Olive Clarke and Spitfield left everything standing but were well outside the lead time.
Second last to go was Lisa O'Farrell on The Bodyguard, and the lead looked under threat until the penultimate fence when a tight turn saw the horse refuse.
There was still the reliable pairing of Francis Connors and Merlin's Magic to come, but a refusal also put paid to their chances, leaving a delighted and slightly surprised Breen to take the ribbons.
With only one more Premier League Grand Prix competition to be contested before the Final of the series in Millstreet on August 18th, Clem McMahon still holds a comfortable lead on 35 points, with Paul O'Shea moving up to second place after today's competition on 25 points.
Both Greg Broderick and Francis Connors are still in with a chance on 20 points each, while today's winner Trevor Breen, who moves to 16 points, and Tholm Keane, whose seventh place today added 3 points to his existing 12, cannot be ruled out at this stage.
RESULT: BOSWELL PREMIER LEAGUE GRAND PRIX
Sunday July 29 2007
Venue: Boswell Equestrian, Ashford, Co Wicklow
Sponsor: Boswell Equestrian
Prize Money: 12,000 euro
1) Oldtown Katie (Owner: M. & P. Coffey) Trevor Breen Faults 0/0 Time 38.08
2) Utopia (Owner: OPN Group) Edward Doyle Faults 0/0 Time 41.54
3) Spitfield (Owner: John Melia) Olive Clarke Faults 0/0 Time 48.02
4) Daydream St. Ghyban Z (Owner: Paul Clarke & Michael Walsh) Paul O'Shea Faults 0/4 Time 37.28
5) The Bodyguard (Owner: Seamus Hutchinson) Lisa O'Farrell Faults 0/4 Time 53.76
6) Merlin's Magic; (Owner: Highfort Stud) Francis Connors Faults 0/4 Time 60.33
27 starters, 8 through to jump-off
PREMIER GRAND PRIX SERIES STANDINGS
after Boswell Grand Prix
Sunday July 29th 2007
1) Clement McMahon 35
2) Paul O'Shea 25
=3) Greg Broderick, Francis Connors 20
5) Trevor Breen 16
6) Tholm Keane 15
=7) Darragh Kenny, Edward Doyle 11
=9) Cian O'Connor, Keith Shore, Stephen Smith 10
12) Linda Russell 9
