Wicklow’s Darryl Walker jumped to the top of the of the TRM/Horseware Grand Prix Leaderboard when he recorded a win in the Grand Prix at Cork last Saturday.

Riding Manuela Martinelli’s nine-year-old mare Cushions (by Flexible), Walker used his last to-go advantage to lodge the winning clear round in 40.23 seonds.

This is the second win for this combination, having won at Charleville last month. Little separated the top placings ,as Vinny Byrne galloped home with Mr Rockefeller in 40.29 for the runner-up spot.

Meath’s Alexander Butler had his eye on the clock as he took it on with Monastery Stud More Pleasure. Despite a good attempt, a clear in 40.47 seconds saw Butler slot into third.

Liam O’Meara delivered a clear with Mr Coolcaum in 41.13 for eventual fourth, ahead of Jenny Rankin and Colorland’s Cheyenne, clear in 41.78.

Premier at Cork

On Sunday, Cork Show also played host to the TRM/Horseware Premier Series Grand Prix, and it was Daniel Coyle that dominated proceedings as he took the honours. Riding John Carr’s 11-year-old Guidam-sired stallion Zuidam, he took home the winner’s share of the €10,000 on offer.

This is the second win for this pairing, having taken the honours in the round at Omagh show the week before. It was a decisive victory for Coyle as the top three riders on the leaderboard prior to the Dublin Horse Show will be offered a place to compete in the international classes in the prestigious event. Coyle said: “I am delighted with the horse as it is the second win at this level in just a few weeks. Really, I was just looking at the win on the day and not ahead to Dublin. It is nice to be at the top end of the leaderboard however. Alexander (Butler, 3rd) and John (McLoughlin, 2nd) had set very good times, so I just kept moving forward and made up time after the double. The plan now is Balmoral and, hopefully, we can put in another good round.”