IRELAND's Padraig McCarthy and Jim Newsam both withdrew their respective mounts Mr Chunky (19th after cross-country) and Magennis (43rd) before the final trot-up inspections went ahead this morning at the 70th anniversary of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Britain's Laura Collett also withdrew her mount Mr Bass (18th) overnight.

Italian horse Rubis De Prere, the mount of Pietro Sandei, was sent to the holding box but after re-inspection by the veterinary team, he was passed.

Meanwhile, the top 10 all passed the final inspection which started at 8.30am and the first of the show jumping rounds will shortly get under way at 11am with 56 starters.

The lower placed combinations will jump first with the top 20 contenders expected around 2pm in the ring.

LEADERS

Britain's Oliver Townend and the Irish-bred Ballaghmor Class (ISH), (by Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH) bred by Limerick's Noel Hickey, lead the five-star event with a fence in hand.

2nd: Vanir Kamira (ISH) – 2005 mare by Camiro De Haar Z (ZANG) out of Fair Caledonian (WNTR) by Dixi (TB). Breeder: Kathryn Jackson (Monaghan). Rider: Piggy French (GBR)

3rd: Graf Liberty (ISH) by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Lisheen Star (ISH). Damsire: Cavalier Royale.

Breeder: Brian Livingstone. Rider: Christopher Burton (AUS).

4th Swallow Springs. (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Chillout (ISH) out of Kilila (ISH) by Cult Hero (TB). Breeder: Maria Keating (Galway). Rider: Andrew Nicholson (NZL)

5th Cooley Lands (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Cavalier Land (ISH) out of Clover Light Girl (ISH)(TIH) by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Peter Rice (Monaghan). Rider: Christopher Burton (AUS)

6th Ringwood Sky Boy. (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Courage II (HOLST) out of Sky Lassie (ISH) by Sky Boy (TB). Breeder: Myles Mahon (Wexford). Rider: Tim Price (NZL)

7th Cillnabradden Evo (ISH) – 2006 stallion by Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe (KWPN) out of Willow Gardenb [ISH] by King Henry (ID) Breeder: Tom & Orla Holden (Meath). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

12th Euro Prince (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Lougheries Quiet Man (unk) out of Miss Tullydraw (unk). Breeder: Cormac McKay (Armagh). Rider: Clare Abbott (IRL)

20th November Night (ISH) – 2006 mare by Bonnie Prince (TB) out of Coolnalee Kate (ISH), by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Pat Doherty, Co. Waterford. Owner: Susanna Franke & Peter Cole. Rider: Ciaran Glynn (IRL)

26th Dunlough Striker (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Maltstriker (KWPN) out of Beau Rua (ISH), by Beau Royale (TB). Breeder: Kevin Nolan (Clare). Rider: Michael Ryan (IRL)

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