Victory in the penultimate round of the Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix stayed north as Tyrone native Emily Turkington and Legend galloped home in 40.23 to land the spoils in the Henry Murray & Co ā¬5,000 sponsored class. This was the second good placing of late for Turkington having finished second to Vincent Byrne in the round at Connell HIll in July with Willem.Owned by Turkington herself, Legend is an 11-year-old gelding by Okkie Trooi out of Rokante.
From the 39 listed starters, 12 combinations delivered clear rounds and proceeded to the jump-off. With the pressure on however, just four double clears were delivered.
Looking to add points to his tally, Francis Connors didnāt disappoint as he partnered Hyperion to second place when clear in 41.83. It was a well worth trip for Kilkenny rider Jack Ryan as he kept everything in place with Cavalier Teaca in 42.01 for third. In fourth place was Alexander Butler and Rincoola Rua, clear in 45.11 seconds.
Not content with the win, Turkington had her eye on the ball as she clocked the fastest time of the jump-off in 38.97 with Willem, but it came at a price as she faulted once and as a result slotted into fifth place.
This round proved to be a decisive for Kilkenny rider Vincent Byrne as he extended his lead on the leaderboard when finishing sixth place.Ā Riding Caugherty, four faults in a time of 40.75 places him six points ahead of Francis Connors and Gerard Oā Neill going into the final at Cork on the 11th of September.
Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix from the Meadows Equestrian CentreĀ result:
Sponsored by:Ā Henry Murray & Co
1st Legend (AES)/E.Turkington 0/0/40.23
2nd Hyperion/F.Connors 0/0/41.83
3rd Cavalier Teaca/J. Ryan 0/0/42.01
4th Rincoola Rua/A. Butler 0/0/45.11
5th Willem/E. Turkington 0/4/38.97
6th Caugherty-V.Byrne 0/4/40.75
