SET against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, Bertram Allen enjoyed three top-five placings at the five-star Global Champions Tour in Paris last weekend, all aboard Ballywalter Farm’s GK Casper.

In Friday’s opening 1.45m two phase class at the French venue, Allen guided and the nine-year-old stallion GK Casper (Canto x Quantum) to third place in a time of 25.75 seconds. Victory went to French rider Mathieu Billot with Radja des Fontaines (23.27), while the Cruising-sired Mic Mac du Tillard, who later retired at the show, finished second with Germany’s David Will (23.83).

The following day, Irish riders featured strongly in the 1.45m speed class with Tipperary’s Denis Lynch partnering RMF Bella Baloubet (Baloubet Du Rouet x Landadel) taking the runner-up place, crossing the line clear in 60.68 seconds, ahead of Allen who slotted into fourth place with GK Casper in 62.41. Victory went to Britain’s Ben Maher with Quilata in a time of 59.91.

DOUBLE CLEAR

Allen rounded off a good weekend with a fifth place finish in Sunday’s Massimo Dutti Eiffel Challenge, producing a double clear round in 37.20 seconds. The class was won by Italian superstar Lorenzo De Luca with Stephex Stables’ Halifax van het Kluizebos in a time of 35.89.

Lynch added another placing when finishing joint third in the six-bar competition aboard the 10-year-old mare RMF Zecilie.

Frenchman Julien Epaillard (Usual Suspect D’auge) and Greek rider Danielle Goldstein (Cooler Than Me) shared the winners’ prize.