OLIVER Townend more than justified his ante-post favouritism by landing the feature class by a distance. Riding the talented, but tricky Lanfranco, Townend brilliantly produced the only sub-40 dressage mark (39.2) and, following one of only two double clear rounds, headed the field by a full 10 marks.

Still heavily strapped following a recent fall at Burnham Market, the Shropshire man enjoyed a super spin on Val Ryan’s thoroughbred-sired 17-year-old, having taken over the ride from Andrew Hoy two years ago.