IRELAND’S Robert Blanchette was on top form at Ocala in Florida last week, claiming a double victory with Chardonnay. The pair struck first in a speed class on Wednesday and followed up in the feature event of the week, the three-star $130,000 1.50m Lugano Grand Prix on Saturday, where from a start list of 31, 10 combinations jumped clear over the first-round track, designed by Anderson Lima (MEX), to secure a place in the jump-off.

Blanchette was among five who jumped clear again, but his time of 39.00 seconds was the fastest and meant he secured the win and the winner’s prize pot of $42,900. Chloe D Reid (USA) had to settle for the runner-up spot with Crossover 4 when they finished just over a second behind in 40.15 and took home $26,000 for their efforts.