FRANCE’s Edward Levy prevented an Irish whitewash when taking the win in Sunday morning’s Speed Championship.

A total of 25 combinations qualified for the final international speed class of the show. Levy led from early on posting a superb clear in a time of 65.96 aboard the 10-year-old mare Confidence D’Ass as fourth to go.

Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and Picador posted a very fast round, stopping the clock at 62.17 as 22nd into the ring; this would have given them the win but an error at fence nine saw them add four seconds bringing their total to 66.17 which would still be good enough for the runner-up spot.

Mikey Pender continued his good form when he finished third with HHS Fortune in 66.19. Another of the show’s success stories, Richard Howley and Chinook, were fourth in 66.42. Daniel Coyle riding the nine-year-old Ivory Tcs slotted into fifth place in 66.82. Sixth went to Denis Lynch and GC Chopins Bushi in 67.10.