THERE were 50 combinations on the start list for Sunday’s five-star 1.60m Grand Prix at Fontainebleau in France, with some of the best-known names in show jumping taking part. Just 11 of the starters jumped clear in the first round to secure their chance to jump again. Six managed a second clear round, among them were two Irish riders – Wexford’s Bertram Allen, who rode the nine-year-old gelding Qonquest De Rigo into fifth place (41.83) and Meath’s Cian O’Connor, who rode the 12-year-old gelding Iron Man into sixth (42.51).

Brazil’s Yuri Mansur won the class and the €50,000 first prize on board Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm in the fastest time of 41.52, with the remaining podium positions going to Belgian riders Gregory Wathelet on Hay’s Jamesbond Bond (41.58) and Gilles Thomas on Kalone Hermitage (41.67). In a very close finish, the top six finished within one second of each other.