In top form in Royal Ascot during the week, seven-times champion Pat Smullen partnered favourite Laviniad to a convincing victory in the featured www.gowranpark.ie Handicap in Gowran Park yesterday.

Michael Ryan was his usual assured self yesterday after riding Dromgurrihy Blue to equal 10th in the dressage phase of the Irish Field CCI three-star class at Tattersalls International Horse Trials.

SARAH WARDELL yesterday took the first step in making up for an aborted effort with Kincluny earlier this month at Burghley, by taking poll position on day one of the CCI three-star at Ballindenisk, Co Cork.

IRELAND were lying in ninth place of 14 countries last night following the completion of the dressage phase of the eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

EVENTING is a sport of opposites. It combines the finesse and cadence of dressage, the fervour and stamina of the cross-country gallop and the accuracy of show jumping.