BRITAIN'S John Whitaker, who took the Heineken Derby honours at Millstreet International Horse Show last year, claimed the opening jump-off class at the Co Cork showgrounds yesterday with a young Irish-bred horse, Hunter's Level.

Heavy overnight rain forced show director, Noel C Duggan, to move the first two international classes into the indoor arena in order to preserve the ground for the remainder of the show.

The move did not inconvenience Whitaker however, and the Yorkshireman later commented, "It was the best thing to do in the circumstances and there are not many showgrounds where you can do that."

Whitaker's victory in Mill street yesterday came at the expense of Irish national champion Conor Swail (Lisna Tutor), who was a 1 1/2 seconds outside the winning time, with compatriot Tom Slattery filling third with the stallion, Coille Mor Hill.

Earlier yesterday Francis Connors scored the opening salvo for the home side at the six-nation fixture.