IRISH Olympian Austin O'Connor lies in fourth place overnight at the Badminton Horse Trials after a stunning cross country round with Colorado Blue saw him rocket up the leaderboard from 20th after dressage.

He remains on his dressage score of 30.8 as one of only six combinations to come home clear inside the time, with time proving hugely influential on the day.

Full of gallop as ever, O'Connor and 'Salty' (by Jaguar Mail and bred by Ireland's Kate Jarvey) thrilled the crowd with a foot-perfect round. On return, he said that the horse was in the best form of his life and described him as having a "heart the size of Badminton".

"He’s more mature now and I am lucky to have him. There has been a lot of rubbish talked – which I didn’t listen to – about the course being a bit softer, but Eric Winter is a damn good designer. It was tough, without question. Of course, it’s all a lot easier on a horse like this,” he said.

"The dressage could have been a couple of marks better but I'm delighted with the horse and he is still improving so a good rest tonight and hopefully we will come out and jump well tomorrow."

The next best Irish rider is Dublin's Ian Cassells who lies in 10th with Master Point on 34.3 having added just time penalties to his dressage score. It was a debut Badminton ride for Cassells, who was absolutely thrilled to have had the opportunity to get around the renowned grounds. Master Point is by Pointiliste and was bred by Bridget McGing.

“I am really happy with my horse [Master Point]," he said. "He is a blood horse with a massive stride. He can get a bit hollow in the combinations and I need to be aware of that, so we played him straight and honest and let him see the fences. It’s my first Badminton and I am really happy, I've never even walked the course here before in person – it’s a show like nothing else - it’s above and beyond what people say. I'm really really happy just to be here and with the horse. He stayed really connected and while he was tired he galloped home well so fingers crossed for tomorrow.”

Both first placed Oliver Townend and second placed Ros Canter were allocated provision cross country flag infringement penalties but on review, neither were sustained.

This leaves Townend and his ISH Cooley Rosalent on 22.3 (21.1 dressage, 1.2 time), three marks ahead of Canter who retains her dressage score of 25.3 with Lordships Graffalo (Grafenstolz). Cooley Rosalent is by Valent and was bred by J W Rosbotham.

Regarding the flag infringement Townend said: “As far as I am concerned, there was no incident. My foot took the flag out but Cooley Rosalent jumped the fence. It’s been a good day. I couldn’t be prouder of both horses who are from different ends of the spectrum in experience.”

“I am so lucky to have this horse," Canter said. "I backed Lordships Graffalo – ‘Walter’ – as a three-year-old and I am so privileged to have a horse that is so calm, although he was shaking in the stable beforehand and his eyes were out on stalks. He knows his job so well. He’s got a turn of foot but he is also rideable. I was very confident about the flag penalty and I'm happy the right decision was made.”

Fellow UK rider Gemma Stevens lies third with Chilli Night (Chilli Morning) while Harry Meade and Superstition (Satisfaction) lie fifth on 30.8. Rounding out the top six is Germany's Christoph Wahler who rides D'Accord FRH and remains on 32.2. Less than 10 penalties lie between the top six with all to play for in Sunday's show jumping Phase. Stay tuned to The Irish Field 's social media channels for updates.