WEXFORD’S Bertram Allen and the nine-year-old gelding Qonquest De Rigo gave a good account of themselves in the five-star 1.60m Longines FEI Jumping World Cup at Lyon last Sunday, when finishing just off the podium in fourth place.

There were 39 on the start list for the challenging class, which saw eight first-round clears proceed to the jump-off. The timed decider proved testing, with four of the eight incurring faults in their quest for speed, leaving four who maintained their clean sheet. Allen’s time of 43.79 was just off the pace of the top three, all of whom represented the home nation. Olivier Perreau (FRA) on GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly took first place in the fastest time of 43.25, followed by Julien Epaillard (FRA) on Fringan de Vesquerie in 43.33 for second and Antoine Ermann (FRA) on Floyd des Pres placing third (43.68). Allen took home a prize pot of €30,860 for his fourth-place finish.