ATHLONE’S Francis Derwin is in fine form at the moment and he currently has 10 horses from Cian O’Connor’s Karlswood Stables to ride in Florida. Confidence in his abilities is clearly well-placed, as he won Friday’s two-star $32,000 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier at the four-star show at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, which ran from January 14th until 18th, when riding his own Gospel Tame to a double clear round in a jump-off time of 37.72 seconds. There were 52 starters in the class and only nine of them jumped clear in the first round to secure a place in the timed decider.

Derwin’s nearest rival was Hunter Holloway (USA) on Koblenz, who finished almost two seconds behind in 39.50 to take the runner-up spot. Coyle and Montevideo VDL placed ninth when picking up faults in the jump-off.