Cavan EC once again proved a happy hunting ground for Daniel Coyle when the northern rider triumphed in the penultimate leg of the TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League. Partnering John Carr’s Zuidam, Coyle came out in front of 20 rivals in the jump-off to clinch the win in Sunday’s €4,000 feature class, sponsored by the venue.
Third last to go in the clocked round, Coyle managed to shave over two seconds off the target set by Edward Butler when coming home in a time of 39.38 seconds.
Cavan EC is a venue where Coyle consistently features. The 2014 International Grand Prix winner with Zuidam, Coyle also won a leg of the National Grand Prix in May with the 11-year-old Guidam-sired stallion. The pair have shown consistent form all season finishing second in the league’s opening round at Louth County show as well as winning rounds of the Premier Series at Omagh and Cork Summer Show.
Speaking after the class Coyle said, “I would just like to thank my owners for giving me the opportunity to ride Zuidam, without him I wouldn’t have had half the success I had this year.”
Edward Butler had been the long-time leader when setting the standard of a clear round in a time of 41.88 with the Diamant de Semilly mare Rincoola Rua but had to settle for the runner-up position.
John Floody logged a solid double aboard Mise Le Meas, completing in a time of 43.45 shifting Catherine Thornton down one position in the line-up in the process. Thornton had recorded a time of 44.11 with the Cavalier Royale-sired Cornascriebe Cava Diamond.
Despite 21 making it through to the timed decider it soon became clear that a fault free round was hard to come by. With this in mind both Kenneth Graham and Gerard Clarke both took the tactical approach and aimed for steady clear rounds.
Graham was the faster, crossing the line in 48.49 with Orbiting while Clarke logged 49.04 with Rafiki.
Heading into the final round at the Irish Breeders Classic show in Barnadown EC next week Darryl Walker remains at the head of the leader board. Vincent Byrne however is still within striking distance with points and a half on offer in the grand finale.
TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League Cavan Equestrian Centre 31st August 2015 Result
Sponsored by Cavan Equestrian Centre
- Daniel Coyle Zuidam 0/0 39.38
- Edward Butler Rincoola Rua 0/0 41.88
- John Floody Mise Le Meas 0/0 43.45
- Catherine Thornton Cornascriebe Cava Diamond 0/0 44.11
- Kenneth Graham Orbiting 0/0 48.49
- Gerard Clarke Rafiki 0/0 49.04