AN outstanding performance from Conor Swail saw the world number six take home the win in the final Grand Prix of the season at Desert International Horse Park, the $226,000 Marshall and Sterling CSI4* Grand Prix, aboard Vital Chance De La Roque.

From the 22 starters over Peter Grant’s track, just two made it through to the jump-off. USA’s Sophia Siegel was first to go with A-Girl and she knocked two rails in a time of 52.13 seconds, leaving victory up to Swail. Swail kept his pace slow, but still accumulated eight faults, meaning it came down to time. He picked up the pace and crossed the timers in 48.31 seconds, taking the win in an uncharacteristic fashion.

While a win is a win, Swail recognises the horse didn’t put in his best performance, meaning there is homework to do despite a major victory. He commented: “I’m very happy, obviously. He’s still not where he should be or where he’s going to be, but it was a day to get in the trenches and fight it out. It’s a great result today but as far as going forward we have a lot to improve on.

“The jump-off is a lot less technical, and especially today - it was mostly singles out there. When Sophia had a couple down, I thought I’d just tip around and be handy. I suppose it made it exciting again. He got aggressive on me and he made a few mistakes. I sped it up a bit and I think cutting inside to the last helped me. We’re just in a bit of a confidence crisis at the moment. Thankfully we pulled it off today.”

Swail knows he has work to do with Vinny, but their partnership is a strong one and they have the results behind them to prove he will get back to the top. “He’s always a feisty horse - I think that what makes him so good. But he really is boiling over on me at the minute and I’m struggling to try to manage that. This was a big step forward, winning the four-star Grand Prix.

“We’re going in the right direction. He’s one of the best horses in the world when he’s in top form. It’s going to take another three or four shows at least.”

This was the second win for the Co Down native as he had earlier claimed the win in the $38,700 CSI4* 1.45m.

Just one of four in the jump-off, he lodged the winning round aboard Theo 160, clear in 43.48.

Robert Blanchette won Thursday’s $30,000 1.45m Open Classic at the venue aboard Chardonnay. He was the fastest of nine clears in 77.96 seconds and also finished fourth with the Irish Sport Horse Carnlea Premier Balou (Balout du Rouet x Cavalier Royale), bred in Armagh by Premier Sport Horses.

“Chardonnay is a fighter,” Blanchette said. “When the course looks difficult, she tries harder. If I do my job alright, she’s hard to beat.”