HAVING been knocking at the door all week, Oliver Townend finally got his head in front to land a comfortable win in the short format three-star.

Quickly building a rapport with his new ride Alcatraz, Townend held a clear overnight lead on 25.5 and, despite collecting four penalties for time, he completed a similar margin ahead of Elizabeth Halliday Sharp (Cooley Moonshine).

A former ride of Alexander Bragg, the Sarah Hughes-owned Dutch-bred only recently changed yards, and this was their first outing together. “I’ve learned a bit about him today, and I’m lucky to have him,” commented Townend, who now plans to head for the ERM finals in Ligniere.

A more established partnership is that of the second placed Cooley Moonshine ridden by the American rider Liz Halliday Sharp. A bronze medallist in Le Lion d’Angers last year, this exciting Irish youngster was bred by MJ Kavanagh in Co Wexford and sourced by Marti Rudd, who in turn sold him to Esib Power as a three-year-old.

Interestingly-bred

A son of Cobra, he was originally competed under the name Monbeg Cartel before he was snapped up by Halliday Sharp two years ago. Interestingly-bred, he is out of the Kings Master-sired mare Kilpatrick Duchess and is a half-brother to Brian Morrison’s smart six-year-old Global Theodorus

Having now been syndicated to the Monster partnership, he more than pleased connections with this high-class performance.

“I was especially delighted with him today because he’s strong to ride across country, and today he almost got tired!” explained the Sussex-based rider. The pair now look to be among the favourites for the seven-year-old title at the French showcase in two weeks’ time.

Emily King, in third spot, was equally delighted with the similarly aged Langford Take The Biscuit.

Another Irish-bred, this time by Rainstown Lad, this diminutive dun was bred by Seamus Walsh in Co Carlow and sourced through Goresbridge sales. He spent much of his early life hunting in the Cotswolds with Ali Butler, before King was given the ride at the start of last year.

Really blood

He was then the subject of a crowd funding campaign, and now runs under the ownership of the 500 strong Your Horse and Country syndicate.

Significantly, the pair were the only starters to return home within the time, leading King to comment: “For a little Irish horse, he rides really blood. I put some big studs in him and he just ate up the ground.”

As the time in the country proved hugely influential, the placings juggled accordingly. Picking up 5.2 penalties, King’s partner Sam Ecroyd slipped to fourth with the veteran Tullaher Sunrise, while adding a hefty 12 marks, Liz Halliday Sharp was demoted to fifth with her second ride Flash Cooley.

As the best of the Irish, Lexi Kilfeather and Lord Of The Morning were hampered by four show jumping faults, but progressed to have a great spin in the country.

Making up ground, they completed in 10th spot, less than a mark behind compatriot Suzanne Hagen with the Le Lion-bound OBOS Take One.