IT came as no surprise, but setting out as one of the last of the 30 runners in The Irish Field CCI4*-L, British Olympian Pippa Funnell delivered a dressage masterclass to lead the feature class on a score of 25.4.

Teaming up with the Irish-bred MGH Grafton Street, Funnell currently holds a clear three mark advantage over her compatriot Laura Collett (Dacapo), leaving the talented Japanese rider Kazuma Tomoto (Bernadette Utopia) also close in touch on 29.2.

The scores are clustered tightly however, and while the trio are some distance ahead of the best Irish duo of Elizabeth Power and Samuel Thomas (36.5), today’s (Saturday) cross-country phase could easily produce a shake-up. Appearing to be much beefier than last year, and with much of the content completely re vamped, the tracks will need forward riding, accuracy and respect.

“There are certainly a lot of questions out there,” said Funnell. “It’s a real Scotty (Ian Stark) course. There is plenty of variety, some new challenging mounds and a real championship water jump. The ground is super, and the rain we have had has really helped.”

Price leading

New Zealand rider and new world number one Tim Price celebrated his recent top status by taking a commanding lead in the short format George Mernagh Memorial CCI4*-S.

Price and the German-bred mare Ascona M scored a smart 25.9, while once again Kazuma Tomoto impressed in second spot with Vinci de la Vigne JRA (29.8). Friday’s strong winds upset many of the afternoon contenders, and while Ireland’s Sam Watson may have been a little disappointed with the fancied Imperial Sky (33.8) and Tullabeg Flamenco (37.9), he is still well in contention in seventh and 10th place, respectively.

This competitive class will show jump this evening (Saturday) at about 6.30pm before concluding after the cross-country on Sunday afternoon.

Ireland holds a very strong hand in the Connolly’s Red Mills CCIU25 3*-L, in which Cathal Daniels is prominent in both first and third positions. The Co Kildare-based WEG silver medallist fills the top spot with OLS King Aragon (26.0) and, although he does have the 2017 victors Sam Ecroyd (Tullaher Sunrise) breathing down his neck on 26.2, he is well supported by LEB Lias Jewel who slots into third (27.7).

The leaderboard in the Eventing Ireland CCI3*-L changed shape late in the day as William Fox-Pitt and Georgisaurous wowed the Ground Jury to score a sparkling 20.5. Awarded the top spot by all three members, the British legend forged ahead to relegate long-time leader James Avery (Ascona) of New Zealand into second (23.9) from Tom Jackson and Forrest Gump in third.

Leading the Irish challenge in this strong class, and filling a creditable eighth place is Brian Morrison aboard the impressive Global Orchid (27.9).

Underage classes

Irish riders also have made a big impact in the varied underage one-star classes, which ran across country on Friday. Heading into tomorrow’s show jumping phase, Lucie Glynn (Bramblebrough Eoghan) has held on to her lead in the Berney Bros Saddlery CCI2*P while Chloe Fagan (Versace Biscuit) has retained her advantage in the Horseware CCIJ2*.

In the open Land Rover CCI2*-L sector, Britain’s John Paul Sheffield (Woodlander Wesuvio) have taken a narrow lead, while in the prestigious Cooley Farms Young Horse division, at the time of writing, it is ante post favourite William Fox-Pitt (Grafennacht) who is once again the man to beat.

Today’s cross-country action kicks off with the two CCI3*-L classes at 10.30am followed by the feature The Irish Field CCI4*.

In a now well established and popular move, spectators can enjoy further cross-country action on Sunday when the George Mernagh Memorial CCI4*-S will kick off at 1pm, and the show jumping will be staged all day from 8.30am.