Swail arrives in Millstreet back in running for Premier Series

CONOR SWAIL travels to Millstreet this week for its annual horse show hoping he can continue the run of form that has seen him challenge for the Citroen ShowjumpingIreland Premier Series.

The Co Down rider has won the last two outings with Glen Leddy’s Gold Digger, having returned from an injury-enforced lay off and last week he again showed he is at his peak when only tipped off by world number seven Jessica Kürten in the power and speed class at Dublin Horse Show.

After his first win last month in Tattersalls, Co Meath — where he had almost two seconds to spare — he said: “This puts me back in the game as far as the Premier Series is concerned ... it’s all to play for now.”

Bold words, particularly as the win only put him seventh on the leaderboard. Next time out, however, the 36-year-old demonstrated this was no idle boast, securing his second victory at the South County Dublin Show in Coilog, Co Kildare.

The performance elevated him to fourth place in the standings with 27 points and, with points-and-a-half on offer at the final in Millstreet next Sunday, his current form makes him a definite threat.

That’s not to say league leader Trevor Breen (35pts), second-placed Tholm Keane (31.5pts) nor third-placed Francis Connors (29pts) are ready to roll over.

In last year’s Millstreet final, Connors showed his knack for winning, when he rode Merlin’s Magic to victory in a head-to-head with Shane Breen and it would be a unwise to dismiss the Waterford rider and John Murphy’s gelding.

Millstreet begins in earnest today with the first of the Boomerang Qualifiers. This forms one of over 90 classes in a show jumping extravaganza boasting €125,000 in prizemoney, with €30,000 up for grabs in Sunday’s grand prix. This is preceded by the €10,000 Boomerang final, a competition that over the years has identified the best in young horse talent. Also on Sunday is the Centrepoint final with a prizefund of €7,500, while Saturday sees the Millstreet Derby followed by the speed derby.

Phenomenal interest has seen over 10,000 entries with almost 1,500 animals stabled on the complex.

While recent bad weather has forced the cancellation of the three eventing futurity classes, the organisers say all other competitions will go ahead.

SEE: www.millstreethorseshow.ie