Junior rider Daren Hopkins was the victor of the opening leg of the TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League at Louth County Show. Riding Leo Carey’s 11-year-old Cruising gelding Mister Cruise, Hopkins came out in front in the 14 horse decider to claim the first national Grand Prix win of his career.

Drawn at the latter end of the jump-off, the 18-year-old found fractions on then leading Daniel Coyle to clinch the win in the €4000 Horizon/ Horseware sponsored class when coming home with a clear round in a time of 37.88 seconds.

The Co. Mayo based rider, no stranger to the winners circle with victories in the Spring Tour and the Connaught Grand Prix League over the last two years, said, “It’s definitely the biggest win I’ve had so far. Mister Cruise was bred by my grandfather, Leo Carey, so it’s a great achievement.”

Coyle, as first to go with the Guidam-sired stallion Zuidam, had held the lead in Saturday’s feature class with his opening gambit of a fault free round in a time of 37.92 but had to settle for the runner-up position.

Darryl Walker, a recent winner at the Spring Tour final in Coilog EC, proved next fastest on the day with Manuela Martinelli’s Cushions across the line in 38.05. The times proved tight all the way down the line-up with the next two combinations also coming home inside 39 seconds.

Ger O’ Neill took the green rosette with Go For It, recording a time of 38.27 while northern rider James Hogg stopped the clock at 38.51 aboard another son of Cruising Interpreter. Frank Curran rounded out the line-up in sixth position as the faster of the remaining two double clears with New World.