BRITAIN's Piggy French snatched victory from compatriot Oliver Townend in a dramatic twist to the 2019 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this afternoon to take her first win at the famous five-star competition.

Riding the Irish-bred mare Vanir Kamira, who didn't put a foot wrong in the show jumping ring just before 3pm, French had to wait until last-to-go Oli Townend and the Irish-bred Ballaghmor Class were effectively beaten by the clock - just 0.3 of a time fault - to hand her the win.

The final scoreboard said it all - French and Vanir won on 26.8 with Townend and Ballymor Class, a very gallant second on 27.1.

Through tears, Piggy French with her little son Max in her arms, told commentator Clare Balding: "To be honest it has not sunk in, just cannot believe it. I started to half dream this morning and walked the course and thought, 'not a chance'. I thought I would have two down. She (Vanir) is such an amazing little mare. She would annihilate this track at home. I can't believe it Clare, I can't believe it. Oliver will be cross about that, the time faults.

"I usually come here quite negative because it has not been a happy hunting ground. To my whole team back at home, the guys are just great. It's so hard to get here, and keep the horse in one piece, just thank you to everyone, to everyone involved," said Piggy who was swamped by well-wishers.

Interestingly the winning Badminton rider is the grand daughter of Betty Powell, widow of the late C. J. (Jim) Powell of Shanbally Stud who helped to provide several of the horses that launched her career.

THE TOP 12

Australia's Chris Burton was third and fourth with his brilliant Irish-breds, Cooley Lands and Graf Liberty, on 28.1 and 33.7 respectively. Andrew Nicholson and the Irish-bred Swallow Springs were fifth on 35.8.

Townend was sixth with the Irish-bred Cillnabradden Evo (36.1) while Britain's Tina Cook and Billy The Red were seventh on 40.5. Britain's Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden were eighth 41.2 and the veteran William Fox-Pitt, who had a great Badminton, was ninth with Little Fire (41.2).

New Zealand's Tim Price was 10th with the Irish-bred Ringwood Sky Boy (43.3) while Britain's Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser were 11th on 44.5.

Ireland's Clare Abbott and Euro Prince were 12th on 46.6.

PRESSURE ON

There were seven clears in the morning show jumping session but as the pressure mounted on the higher placed riders, costly poles hit the ground this afternoon.

Back at the top level of competition, Britain's William Fox-Pitt and Oratorio went into the lead shortly after 2pm with one down to finish on 46.8 and he was followed by a lovely round from Ireland's Ciaran Glynn and November Night to hold on to at least 18th place at that stage of the competition. Afterwards Glynn said he was "chuffed'' with his brave mare who was brilliant over the cross-country yesterday.

Britain's Tom McEwen snatched the lead with a great first clear of the competition to finish on 44.5. "Human error prevailed yesterday but taking nothing away from the horse. He jumped the most fantastic show jumping round and I could not go home happier," he commented afterwards.

Australia's Chris Burton and Cooley Lands shot into the lead on 28.1 and put on a masterly display of riding when his other top horse Graf Liberty had an uncharacteristic sliding stop at the water tray. The pair went on to complete the round with ease.

Oliver Townend had one down with the Tom Holden-bred Cilnabradden Evo while maths teacher Clare Abbott and Euro Prince, in their fifth Badminton together, powered around the ring and were unfortunate to have just one down in what was otherwise a brilliant round of jumping.

Ciaran Glynn and November Night (ISH)(TIH) jumped clear and added just time penalties to finish 14th on 46.9. An excellent clear round inside the time saw Michael Ryan and Dunlough Striker (ISH) finish 17th on 50.3.

Irish Eventing team manager Sally Corscadden was very happy with the Irish performance and said:"It was great to have three Irish riders finishing inside the top 20 at Badminton as it's always a tough competition. We saw some very good jumping performances. Obviously it was disappointing for Padraig [McCarthy] that he had to withdraw with Mr Chunky before the final phase but he will be back for another day. On the whole it was very positive."

BREEDING BADMINTON 2019

1st: 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)

2nd: Ballaghmor Class (ISH) – 2007 gelding Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey (Limerick). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

3rd: 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)

4th: Graf Liberty (ISH) by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Lisheen Star (ISH). Damsire: Cavalier Royale.

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

5th, Swallow Springs. (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Chillout (ISH) out of Kilila (ISH) by Cult Hero (TB). Breeder: Maria Keating (Galway). Rider: Andrew Nicholson (NZL)

6th: 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)

10th, 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)

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

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)