WEXFORD’S Bertram Allen finished seventh overall in the prestigious Rolex top-10 final in Geneva last Friday, an unfortunate one fence down in the second round costing the Irishman a chance at victory.

Allen was bidding to follow in the footsteps of former Irish winners of the competition, which is limited to the top 10 riders on the world rankings.

Billy Twomey had previously won for Ireland in 2011 with Tinkas Serenade, while Jessica Kürten also claimed the winner’s prize in 2007 with the brilliant mare, Castleforbes Libertina.

Still just 20-years-old, Allen became the youngest rider in history to take part in the top-10 final. He partnered his own super-star mare Molly Malone V in the huge Geneva indoor arena and they cruised to a perfect clear in the opening round.

With eight of the 10 world class starters also going clear, the jump-off was always going to be lightning fast. American rider Kent Farrington put immense pressure on those who followed when he produced an incredible round (37.54) with Voyeur, a 13-year-old gelding by Tolano Van´T Riethof.

Farrington watched on nervously as Allen entered the arena with Molly Malone and the Irishman was actually up on the clock as he approached the oxer at fence four.

However the top rail of that obstacle fell to the floor to end Irish hopes of a win. Allen eased up somewhat after that and came home with four faults in 40.76 to take seventh place overall.

Speaking after his victory, world number two Farrington said: “My horse was amazing. I had to go early in the second round and I knew that some of the fastest riders were coming after me.”

Allen went on to finish fourth in last Sunday’s 1.40m speed class in Geneva with GK Casper, who is just a seven-year-old by Canto out of a Quantum dam. They came home just under two seconds behind Swiss rider Frederique Fabre Delbos with the experienced Nirvana Basters, while another rider from the home nation, Romain Douget, took runner-up spot with Cacharel.

Allen and GK Casper also took 10th place in another speed class on the opening day of the Geneva fixture, when victory went to Brazil’s Carlos Ribas with Brilexo, who is by Phin Phin out of a Luz X dam.

IRISH SPORT HORSE

Last Friday’s six-bar class in Geneva saw the Irish Sport Horse Glenevadra Brilliant finish as runner-up when ridden by Britain’s William Whitaker. The 12-year-old gelding by Brilliant Lad out of a dam by Powerswood Purple, was bred by Frank Fahy in Co Galway. Glenevadra Brilliant (ISH) also finished fifth in the €37,000 1.45m speed class at Geneva.

Meanwhile the Irish Sport Horse Limestone Grey finished seventh in the €92,000 Credit Suisse 1.50m Geneva Classic. The nine-year-old by Try Time out of Millpark’s Courageous Lady (ISH), was bred by David Moran from Co Limerick. Now ridden by Italian Lorenzo De Luca, Limestone Grey was previously campaigned in Ireland by Francis Connors, having been produced initially by Peter Leonard.