DARRAGH Kenny was runner-up in the five-star ‘Continental’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, at Spruce Meadows last Sunday. Just 20 started over the 1.60m track and four were clear to progress to the jump-off, where they were all double clear.

Second to go against the clock, Kenny guided Reverie Sport Horses’ 12-year-old mare Arna’t Kruisveld to a clear round in 47.53 seconds taking the lead. That held until last to go, Columbia’s John Perez went almost two seconds faster with Gog-Carmen to take the top prize. Kenny claimed just over €60,000 for second place, ahead of USA’s Lillie Keenan in third with Fasther.

Derry Daniel Coyle won Friday’s CSI5* 1.55m jump-off class aboard Ariel Grange’s 10-year-old mare Ivory TCS. In a nine-horse jump-off, the pair were the fastest of four clear rounds against the clock, breaking the beam in 45.06 seconds to take victory ahead of USA’s Adrienne Sternlicht and Faquitol S (0/0 45.31).

Double handed in the jump-off, Coyle also finished eighth with Quintin after a fence down in the timed round, behind Kenny with Chic Chic (0/4 50.20). Conor Swail slotted into ninth place with Nadal Hero & DB (0/11 58.30).

On the opening day, four Irish riders were in the top five in the 1.50m class. Coyle placed second with Quintin ahead of Swail in third with his own and Team Philippaerts’ Theo 160. Kenny and Chic Chic, owned by Vlock show Stables LLC, were fourth and completing the quartet coming home in fifth was Paul O’Shea and Squirt Gun, owned by Eye Candy Jumpers and Paul O’Shea.

Swail ended the week winning the 1.45m two-star Grand Prix with Gamble. In a six-horse jump-off, they won in 43.43 seconds, seeing off Egypt’s Nayel Nassar by two hundredths of a second. Third with the Timothy Kelleher-bred MGH Candy Girl (Sligo Candy Boy x Cruising) was Matt Sampson.