GREG Broderick made an immediate impression on Irish soil with his new mount Charmeur, when claiming the first round of the New Heights Champions Series at Louth County show in Dundalk yesterday (Sunday).

The new 1.50m Grand Prix series, which replaces the Premier League Grand Prix, continues to be sponsored by TRM and Horseware Ireland and offers a prize fund of €10,000 at each of the 10 legs, with the overall winner of the series crowned the National Champion.

A total of 28 combinations lined out over Tom Holden’s track, with nine of those making it through to the second round. Of those nine, only four managed to keep a clean sheet second time out.

Fourth to go in the jump-off, Broderick set off with pace and, despite a minor slip on the right turn back to the vertical at fence 15, he kept up his rhythm to break the beam in 44.99 seconds and collect €3,000. Charmeur (Calvaro Z x Heartbreaker), a 10-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Pearl Biedron, is a new to Broderick this season, previously campaigned by British riders Jodie Hall Mcateer and Kayleigh Watts.

The pair competed at the Spanish sunshine tour in Vejer de la Frontera where a number of good results included finishing sixth in a three-star 1.55m Grand Prix back in February.

Sophie Dalm got closest to Broderick time to take the runner-up place with Ro’slane Stables’ Ramake Lande (Hym D’Isigny x Nidor Platiere) when clear in 47.78 seconds. The Co Down rider has also just returned from the Spanish tour where she guided the 12-year-old French-bred gelding to fifth place in a four-star 1.45m Grand Prix last month.

Twenty two-year-old Max O’Reilly Hyland finished third with his own Ahmed Du Calvaire (Cerano x Landwind), lodging a clear in 48.31 seconds, just ahead of Galway’s Damien Griffin and Pamela Donaghy’s Tabby (Captain Clover x Cruising) (ISH) in 49.95.

NEW HEIGHTS CHAMPIONS SERIES – LOUTH COUNTY

1. Greg Broderick - Charmeur (0/0 44.99)

2. Sophie Dalm - Remake Lande (0/0 47.78)

3. Max O'Reilly Hyland - Ahmed Du Calvarie (0/0 48.32)

4. Damien Griffin - Tabby (ISH) (0/0 49.95)

5. Nicholas Butler - Vimminka, (0/4 44.09)

6. Alexander Butler - Hallowberry Cruz (ISH) (0/4 45.43)

7. Neal Fernon - Cohiba VDL (0/4 46.32)

8. Darryl Walker - Cushions (ISH) (0/4 46.55)

9. Kenneth Graham - George (ISH) (0/4 47.56)

10. Elizabeth Power - Doonaveeragh O One (ISH) (4/ 79.12)

STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 1

1. Greg Broderick - 10 points

2. Sophie Dalm - 8 points

3. Max O’Reilly Hyland - 7 points

4. Damien Griffin - 6 points

5. Nicholas Butler - 5 points

6. Alexander Butler - 4 points