Sixth-place finish for Cian O’Connor at Olympia
He lined out with the nine-year-old gelding Super Sox, borrowed from his student Lillie Keenan, as his main mount Good Luck is in quarantine in Florida ahead of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
The pair were among a massive field of 17 to make the jump-off, which also included Bertram Allen on Quiet Easy.
O’Connor was foot perfect on his return, the nine-year-old gelding sharp throughout and, while the pair were fast, it was only good enough to slot into provisional second place.
Four more riders ultimately proved faster, but none were anywhere close to Emanuele Gaudiano and the courageous Admara.
The Italian showed a recklessness built firmly on the belief that his 10-year-old gelding - which he has owned since a two-year-old - could clear each fence and he crossed the finish line almost a second faster than Ben Maher (Diva II).
Meanwhile in Frankfurt, Germany, Denis Lynch reached the jump-off in yesterday’s grand prix with Abbervail van het Dingeshof, but four faults left him in 11th place. A similar score in round one denied Trevor Breen (Acoustik Solo du Baloubet) and Cameron Hanley (Z Acodate DDL) a shot at the prizemoney.
