OLIVER Townend more than justified his ante-post favouritism by landing the feature class by a distance. Riding the talented, but tricky Lanfranco, Townend brilliantly produced the only sub-40 dressage mark (39.2) and, following one of only two double clear rounds, headed the field by a full 10 marks.

Still heavily strapped following a recent fall at Burnham Market, the Shropshire man enjoyed a super spin on Val Ryan’s thoroughbred-sired 17-year-old, having taken over the ride from Andrew Hoy two years ago.

Known as notoriously strong and tricky, Townend has now settled Lanfranco to the extent that he rides across the country in a rubber pelham. “I’ve been able to be competitive but still in control,” he explained.

Townend has ruled the gelding out of the reckoning for the forthcoming European championships, saying: “He’s come out a different horse this year, both physically and mentally, but he has his place and he has his job, so we are just enjoying him.”

While Andrew Fell’s track was full of incident, it proved no problem for Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy, who piloted Bernadette Utopia into second spot.

The Dutch-bred mare made little of either jumping challenge although she did pick up 3.2 penalties for time.

“We ended up on the wrong side of the ropes at one stage, and had to loop back, but it made no difference in the end,” McCarthy said afterwards.

The neat jumping Bernadette Utopia was sourced in Holland, and initially owned by her rider, together with his father-in-law Hendrik Wiegersma and long-term friend Caroline Creighton.

Sadly both have since passed on, but ownership remains in the family, together with supporter Pearl Chafe.

“We never thought she would do as well as she has,” added McCarthy. “Now I really feel she will do a four-star.” Saumur or Tattersalls could be next on the agenda for the 11-year-old, who is McCarthy’s top European prospect.

TRICKY

The cross-country course was very similar to the one successfully trialed 12 months ago, so in perfect conditions, it came as quite a surprise to see so many riders encountering problems. Whether it was the fast ground, or the obvious lack of fitness among some of the runners, but three of the 17 starters fell, while a further two retired.

“It was interesting,” Fell commented. “The changes at the start of the track seemed to make the first water ride better, but there seemed no reason for the falls and I was pleased that the faults were spread out and that there was no bogey fence.”

The result would certainly have been much tighter had it not been for the shock departure of British Olympian Pippa Funnell and Chippieh.

Close in touch on the flat (44.2), Chippieh had looked tired coming up the final hill, before appearing to stumble and then pick up a stride out at the final fence. Hitting it hard, the pair fell heavily, and although Funnell was taken to hospital overnight suffering from concussion, she returned to the event the following day.

Lying in third place overnight, compatriot Kate Bleloch (Bulano) had already clocked up 20 penalties at the barrels (7) before she fell at the open corners (15ab). This fence is always considered one of the influential features, and Irish hopes plummeted when both Sam Watson (Imperial Sky) and Tegan White-McMorrow (Texan Style) both added an uncharacteristic 20 penalties to otherwise foot-perfect rounds.

British rider Emily Lochore was another to fall when Hexmaleys Hayday took a horrid tumble at the following trailer (16), while Italian visitor Eleonora Boschi (Hotchkiss McManus) walked home from the same fence and Roberta Fox retired Bonero K at the avenue crossing (8).

As the only other double clear, Polly Stockton enjoyed a great spin with Hugh and Ann Lawson’s Mister McCondy. In fourth place overnight, they dropped to eighth spot after a show jumping round they would sooner forget, leaving British visitor Sophie Brown to fill third aboard Wil.

Ireland’s sole remaining representative was Michael McNally, who creditably slotted into ninth place with Classic Piper.