IRELAND’s Michael Duffy produced two notable clear rounds to take third place in the five-star Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead. Riding EFS Top Contender, the Galway-born 22-year-old was one of three Irish riders to contest the trophy, but the only one to make it through to the jump-off.

Shane Breen and CFS Vendi Cruz had one fence down in the first round, as did David Simpson on Unex Cognac IV, who agonisingly went clear until dropping the last fence.

Eight of the country’s brightest talents went through to the jump-off. Riding Galway Bay Jed (by Romanov), Harriet Nuttall’s daring galloped to the last paid off for a time of 32.64 seconds. Nuttall has proved very consistent in Hickstead, and in June, she finished runner-up in the Hickstead Derby for the third consecutive year. This was her international win here since taking the British Speed Derby in 2016.

Holly Smith and Quality Old Joker (ISH) were second – another pair that came close to winning the Al Shira’aa Derby when finishing third last year. Smith posted a time of 34.10 to go ahead of Duffy but her lead was short-lived with Nuttall going on to better her time.

In the British Speed Classic, Joe Whitaker and Lavarno were the clear winners, finishing more than 2.5 seconds ahead of the reigning Al Shira’aa Derby champion Nigel Coupe.

Best of the Irish were Richard Howley and Tango Du Valdecie, who slotted into eighth place when clear in 64.39.

On Sunday, Richie Moloney took seventh place with Merquiso in the Royal International Accumulator when he recorded the maximum score in 47.28 seconds. Victory belonged to Robert Whitaker and Nobel Warrior, who crossed the line in 43.13.

In the Longines King George V Gold Cup, Brazilian rider Yuri Mansur took the honours. Mansur, who was part of the winning team in the Nations Cup, partnered the 11-year-old mare Babylotte to the win.

In total 46 starters lined up to take on the Kelvin Bywater-designed course. With riders facing a difficult track, just four proceeded to the jump-off.

First to go in the timed round, Keith Shore set the pace with Mystic Hurricane, but one fence on the ground he had to settle for third place.

Ruben Romp and Audi’s Teavanta Ii C Z beat the time – 54.70 – but it proved costly as they recorded four faults and had to settle for second place.

German rider Patrick Stühlmeyer also proved that the time could be caught when stopping the clock in 54.37, but eight faults denied him a win and instead slotted him into fourth place.

Shane Sweetnam and Main Road claimed fifth place.