Twomey just falls short in Grand Prix

BILLY TWOMEY almost gave Irish fans the perfect ending yesterday to the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show but, in the end, he had to settle for third in the feature event, the €200,000 Longines Grand Prix.

The Cork rider was one of 10 to make the jump-off and, despite a valiant effort with the stallion Je t’Aime Flamenco, he fell short by one-and-a-half seconds, with American McLain Ward powering to victory on Antares F to claim the €66,500 top prize ahead of second-placed Frenchman Kevin Staut on Kraque Boom.

Tipperary’s Denis Lynch and Nabab’s Son finished sixth with the slowest of the double clears.