Sport Briefly / Equestrianism: Connors captures third Irish success

Francis Connors and Belarus Diamond Express battled through mud and rain to give the Irish their third major success in three days in the West Sands Holidays Speed Grand Prix, writes Jennifer Harry from Hickstead. Superb judgement by the Co Waterford rider over an angled treble of vertical rails gave him the edge over John Whitaker on Everest Roddy's Revenge and they squelched on over two sets of doubles to beat the Yorkshireman by more than three seconds. Connors is not in Ireland's Nations Cup team for today's Prince of Wales trophy. But Gerry Mullins, on Pallas Grean, the Grand Prix winner on Friday, John Ledingham, on Kilbaha, Jessica Chesney, on Diamond Exchange, and Peter Charles, on Impulse, must give them a chance of Cup success.