OVERSEAS riders from Italy, Japan and New Zealand are off to a strong start, holding the early top spots in the NutriScience CCI4*-L feature at Ballindenisk International this weekend.

As we went to press, Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti and Swirly Temptress (72.78%) narrowly led Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto and Brookpark Vikenti (ISH) on 72.22%. Ugolotti occupied third with Duke of Champions (70.32%) from New Zealand’s Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier (ISH) on 69.68% in fourth. Japan’s Toshiyuki Tanaka was fifth and sixth with Ventura De La Chaule (68.65%) and Talma D’Allou (68.1%). Cathal Daniels was seventh with LEB Lias Jewel (ISH) on 65.87%.

In second place in the NutriScience CCI4*-S was Alison Holden and O My Balladeer (ISH) on 69.52% behind Britain’s Willa Newton and Cock A Doodle Doo (71.19%). Dublin’s Ian Cassells lay in first and second in the CCI3*-L with Master Point (ISH) (TIH) on 76.07% and Kellys Quality (ISH) on 75.36%. In the CCI3*-S, Brian Morrison (Global Orchid) (71.9%) just lead Patricia Ryan’s The Caped Crusader (ISH)(TIH) on 71.67%).

Top coverage of Ballindenisk International in next week’s paper from Sally Parkyn and Margie McLoone.