AUSTRALIA’s Shane Rose holds a one-point lead over Britain’s Ros Canter ahead of today’s cross-country phase of the CCI4* at Pau where both riders are making their debuts. The pair recorded the only sub-40 scores in the 62-runner field with Canter topping the leaderboard on Zenshera (39.7 penalties) following Thursday’s first day of dressage. Rose, who was fifth into the arena on Friday with CP Qualified, moved into the top spot with a score of 38.7 in spite of an error in his test. On board NZB Campino, Mark Todd shares third on 40.2 with last year’s winning rider, Maxime Livio of France who partners Opium de Verrieres, while the New Zealand rider is also in fifth with Kiltubrid Rhapsody, a 10-year-old ISH gelding by Cascaletto St Ghyvan Z (40.4).

The leading Irish rider overnight was Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift (43.2), with Aoife Clark completing the top 20 on Fernhill Adventure (45.2). A score of 51.9 sees Aidan Keogh in 41st with Master Tredstep, Paul Donovan is three places further adrift with Sportsfield Pretty Lady (53.2), James O’Haire is currently 53rd with China Doll (57.1), while Tony Kennedy is in 56th place with Westeria Lane (58.3)

Michael Jung had to withdraw La Biosthetique Sam on Friday as the horse was lame in trot. Todd and compatriot Andrew Nicholson, currently 11th with Qwanza (42.1), now have a chance to take the title off the German rider.

In the CIC2*, Ireland’s Aidan Keogh (Pride Of Tredstep) and Alison Holden (O My Balladeer), are both on 47.7 penalties, sharing 18th place as Belgium’s Karin Donckers heads the 47-runner field with the British Sport Horse mare Jalapeno (34.4).

The cross-country action gets under way at 9am.