There was no stopping Liam O’ Meara and Greg Broderick last weekend. O’ Meara took his sixth win of the SJI National Grand Prix league series, while Greg Broderick claimed his fourth win in the TRM/Horseware New Heights Champion Series.

O’Meara now has a commanding lead of 53 points over his closest rival Francis Connors. Riding Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, O’Meara delivered the winning round of clear in 40.84 seconds. Bred by Baden Powell, Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight is a nine-year-old by Jacomar out of Curraghgraigue Errigal.

The SJI National Grand Prix attracted 29 combinations. After a competitive first round, 12 produced clear rounds and eight of those went against the clock. Taking second place was Ger O’Neill, almost four seconds slower, with Billy Anchor in 44.76. Matt Garrigan made the trip from Dublin worthwhile when he slotted into third place, riding MHS La Scala clear in a time of 47.98.

Paul Beecher kept all the poles in place with Cruising Star in a slower time of 49.54 for eventual fourth. Beecher, who is the Munster Grand Prix Champion had a competitive season this year on the international circuit and returned home in March ahead of the national and regional leagues.

Placed fourth in the Grand Prix at the Munster Stadium Jumping in Cork, Greg Broderick returned to the line-up when he took fifth placed with Cartouche V Overis Z when fastest of the four faulters in 45.81.

Francis Connors had a good weekend , placing second in the Munster Stadium Jumping the night before, he added to his haul when he slotted into sixth in this line-up. The National Champion had one pole on the floor with Newmarket Clare Lady in 52.15.

NEW HEIGHTS SERIES

On Sunday, Greg Broderick rode to victory in the TRM/Horseware New Heights Champion Series. Broderick similar to O’ Meara is dominating this league, winning four of the six rounds that have taken place.

Riding Chinook II, he was the fastest of the four double clears in 40.06 seconds to take the winner’s share of the €10,000 on offer.Owned by Molly Tracy, Chinook II is a 10-year old gelding by Verdi out of Unavanta.

In total 24 combinations went to post and nine proceeded to the jump-off.

Winner of the round in Mullingar, Clem Mcmahon added to his points tally when he partnered Hilton CMS Paparazzi into second place jumping clear in a time of 40.56.

Captain Geoff Curran put his first points on the board when he took third place. Riding Ringwood Glen, he crossed the line with nothing to add in 42.14. Francis Connors took fourth place with ERNE Ladygoldilocks when clear in 44.86. Vincent Byrne proved that the time could be beaten when he broke the beam in 39.43 with Mr Rockefeller, but it came at a price as he faulted once and had to settle for fifth place. Alan O’Regan and Freedam also had one on the floor in 42.95 for sixth.

MUNSTER STADIUM JUMPING

On Friday night, Adrienne Dixon took the win in the Grand Prix at Munster Stadium Jumping in Cork. A student of Greg Broderick, Dixon lodged the winning round with Paul Carr’s stallion Zuidam, when clear in 36.84 seconds.

Second place belonged to Francis Connors riding the Bobby Flynn owned Hyperion, clear in 38.46 seconds, ahead of Kildare rider Edward Doyle with Derryinver Luxury Cruise in 38.91 for third. Winner of the 128cm Future Champions was Tipperary rider Alexandra Hourigan and Twin Cam clear in 30.41.

In the Young Riders 1.10m Championship, victory belong to Tipperary rider Max Wachman and Cesha Old clear in 34.14.seconds