DERRY’S David Simpson finished as runner-up in the four-star 1.55m Al Shira’aa Grand Prix at Bolesworth International on Saturday, riding Pjotr van de Kruishoeve to a double clear round in 42.55. Jack Whitaker (GBR) rode D&H Valmy de la Lande to finish less than a second faster to take the win in 41.64, while fellow British rider Holly Smith on Nike van het Singraven completed the podium in third (42.68). Cork’s Billy Twomey rode Ace of Hearts into fourth place when double clear in 43.56.

“Every time I’m about to win something, a Whitaker appears!” Simpson joked afterwards, but paid tribute to both his horse and his team. “I’ve owned Pjotr since he was a two-year-old and he’s been an incredible soldier. None of this happens without the team around me and I’m so grateful for everything they do.”