WATERFORD’s Paul Beecher dominated the third round of the Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Grand Prix league at Bandon in Co Cork last Sunday, filling the top two places from a starting list of 20.

Beecher, who had won the previous round of the series at Kingdom County Show, was the only rider to jump clear over Tony Hurley’s first round course. He guided Lougnatousa Eric to a faultless performance while he also left the fences standing aboard Cruising Star.

In an unusual turn of events, Beecher found himself as the sole representative in the jump-off with his two mounts. As the Tallow rider had already league points on the board with Loughnatousa Eric from the previous week, he withdrew Cruising Star from the jump-off and collected the winner’s prize with Loughnatousa Eric.

Third place at Bandon went to Co Kerry’s Maura Counihan with Coral Du Carel, as the pair posted the fastest four fault score in the first round. Reigning champion Francis Connors finished fourth with Capitol Cruis while Co Cork Young Rider Patrick Joyce took fifth spot with Dusty Dude. Lisa O’Sullivan was another rider who lowered a single rail in the first round and finished sixth with Castlequaid Diamond.

Beecher tops TABLE

Paul Beecher now stands at the top of the Connolly’s Red Mills league table with Loughnatousa Eric on 17 points.

He also holds second spot with Danqu on 16 points, one point ahead of Maura Counihan in third with Coral Du Carel.

The Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Grand Prix League now moves to the Cork/Kerry Show at Maryville tomorrow (Sunday) in a re-arranged fixture to replace the cancelled Midleton Show.