FRANCIS Connors got his weekend in Barnadown off to a great start on Friday when he claimed victory in Cooper International-sponsored 1.35m Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour Grand Prix with Luxtapose. Not content with the win, he also took the runner-up sport with Rossa Lough Derg.

Bred by Gerard Jennings and owned by Miley Dunning and Joyce Veld, Luxtapose is a 10-year-old gelding by Lux Z out of Coosan Lass (Cruising). Rossa Lough Derg, an eight-year-old by Luidam (x Crusing Lough Derg), is owned by Cathal Mcmunn and Carole Reape and was bred by Eamonn Hogan.