JUST one hundredth of a second denied Ireland’s Denis Lynch victory in the five-star €300,000 Rolex Grand Prix at the majestic setting of the Grand Ecurie du Roi at the Château de Versailles, France, last weekend.

Riding Royne Zetterman’s 13-year-old gelding Echo De Laubry, the Tipperary man crossed the line in 35.20 seconds. Twelve combinations of the 39 starters jumped clear in the opening round. Second to go against the clock, Japan’s Karen Polle with her horse With Wings set the target when they delivered a clear in 35.58 seconds.

Next in Italy’s Alberto Zorzi also put in a foot-perfect performance with Cornetto K but a slower time of 36.22 would see him finish just behind Polle in the line-up. Fourth to go, Brazil’s Pedro Veniss setting a blistering early target 35.19 seconds with the stallion Quabri de Isle. None of those who followed managed to beat the target time, to leave Veniss as winner and Lynch as a deserving runner-up.

Despite the support of his home crowd, France’s Patrice Delaveau could only do enough to secure fifth place, clear in 36.17, ahead of Dutch rider Maikel Van Der Vleuten and VDL Groep IDI Utopia in 46.49. Last Friday, jumping in the CSI5* got underway with French rider Olivier Robet taking the opening win aboard Eros. Best of the Irish in the second class, the 1.45m was Denis Lynch who partnered Rmf Zecilie into eighth place when clear in 67.96. Winner of the class was Ireland’s new showjumping team manager Rodrigo Pessoa and Status, clear in 58.60.