PIPPA Funnell made it a Ballindenisk to remember when she landed her second win of the weekend in the feature CCI***. Partnering the exciting Billy The Biz, Funnell led throughout, comfortably winning on her opening score of 38.8.

Having impressed in all three phases, the clearly delighted rider explained that the flamboyant 11-year-old had embarked on his event career less than three years ago.

“We initially show jumped him, and then as a seven-year-old we felt that he was probably not a big-time jumper,” she said. “His then co-owner Carole Toliver continued to show jump for another season, and I sat on him again in the Eventers Grand Prix at Hickstead. What has really amazed me is how he has progressed on the flat, as he never used to move.”

Homebred by Donal Barnwell and the Funnells, the son of Cevin Z is out of the Irish mare Little Miss Prim by Coevers.

“He has made mistakes over the past year or two, but these have been largely due to naivety and over-jumping,” added Funnell.

Having now safely gained his Olympic qualification, this eye-catcher looks to be a live contender for Rio and certainly a capable back-up for Funnell’s first choice Sandman.

Another to secure their Olympic eligibility was second-placed Bernadette Utopia ridden by Padraig McCarthy. The Irish pairing produced a sparkling dressage test to hold third place initially, before a clear round in the final stages saw then turn the tables on Oliver Townend and Lanfranco TSF.

The Devon-based Tipperary man was full of praise for this promising mare, saying: “We sourced her in Holland last year, where she had been eventing with an amateur. I already have Simon [Simon Porloe] listed on the squad and she may be a long shot, but I have my eye on Rio. She’s already done a better test than Simon has ever done, so we will have to see.”

Townend’s rub of a rail on the turn away from the pocket proved expensive and, dropping two places as a result, he settled for fourth behind Izzy Taylor and Be Touchable.

The Shropshire man will nevertheless have been heartened by the cross-country performance of the enigmatic Lanfranco TSF, who 12 months ago had looked strong and somewhat perilous when falling with Andrew Hoy at Badminton. Cruising home wearing only a snaffle bridle, Townend remarked: “You can’t pull against them, although I have to say the first few fences were a bit hairy!”

Also gaining her Olympic qualification in seventh spot was Joseph Murphy’s new ride Gorsehill Pearl. Having produced two foot-perfect jumping performances and one of only five double clears, the classy Hermes de Reve mare may well travel to Chatsworth in two weeks time.

Fellow Irish rider Dominic Furnell dropped a place to complete in eleventh after three show jumping errors, while Michael Ryan withdrew Tomgar Rembrandt overnight.

The long format track rode as fluidly as the shorter distance, although the big open corners proved a fence too far for Serena McGregor and Traitors Ford. Izzy Taylor and Its Chico also failed to complete when, having clocked up a succession of refusals, they called it a day at the straw table (14) half way around.