THE Irish-bred gelding 'Larkhill Cruiser' continued its notable run of good form at the Spanish Sunshine Tour tonight (Sunday) when finishing second with Cian O'Connor in the Grand Prix.

The Cruising offspring was one of 18 through to the jump-off at Vejer de la Frontera, and though going clear in the second round, just failed to catch Britain's Guy Williams and 'Titus', who stopped the clock a sixth of a second faster than the Irish combination.

'Larkhill Cruiser' has now had four starts over two weekends at the Spanish venue for Meath-based O'Connor, recording two wins, a third place in the Grand Prix last week, and a runner-up place in the Grand Prix this evening.

A jubilant O'Connor said after tonight's competition: "It's great when you have a horse like this, that does the talking for you."

Sixth in the Grand Prix was the Army Equitation School's Capt. David O'Brien, finishing on a double clear round with another Irish-bred horse, the Royal Concorde gelding 'Annestown', while in 10th was Ireland's Peter Moloney on 'Murka's Vindicat'.

Tonight's result is also a boost for Irish  breeding.' Cruising' is a triple 5-star stallion under Horse Sport Ireland's new breeding policy, while 'Royal Concorde' was one of the first stallions upgraded to 'Approved Status' in 2010 under new performance based criteria, which is also an element of the new policy.

Trevor Coyle also produced a win for Ireland earlier in the day at Vejer de la Frontera in the Big Tour B jump-off, with 'Jubile d'Oully'.

Cian O'Connor