Wardell in pole position at Ballindenisk

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.

The Kildare-based rider produced a fluid dressage test with her experienced campaigner to score 51.8 penalties, going top of the eight-horse field.

Understandably, a relaxed and smiling Wardell preferred not to revisit her recent trip to Burghley, where she retired on the cross-country, but she conceded it had given her extra reason to do well at Ballindenisk.