CIAN O'Connor, Ireland's sole entrant in the Arab League World Cup Grand Prix this evening (Saturday), took third place with the Irish-bred gelding 'Larkhill Cruiser' at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

Meath-based O'Connor, who has now successfully taken part in three legs of the Arab World Cup League, was one of 11 through to the second round from a starting field of 27 at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club grounds, but had to concede victory to Syria's Ahmed Hamcho and his World Equestrian Games mount, the former Ben Maher ride 'Wonderboy III'.

Hamcho was the only rider to achieve a double clear round in the Grand Prix, with Saudi Arabian runner-up Khaled Al Eid, like O'Connor, incurring four faults first time out. Al Eid rode another World Equestrian Games horse, the Dutch-bred stallion 'Presley Boy'.

O'Connor has now competed at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah as part of his Arab World Cup League campaign.
 

Cian O'Connor