First to go was Shane Breen. The Irishman gave it his best on Cato Boy (Commissario) but couldn't manage to stay clear. Second in the ring was Jur Vrieling (NED). Transforming himself into the Flying Dutchman himself, the rider in blue steered Griffin van de Heffinck (Castelino van de Helle) to a clear round, the first one to be exactly!
Scott Brash (GBR) was in it with Hello Valentino (Diamantino) to keep the honors of his home country high but the first fence of the combination went down for the pair. Daniel Coyle (IRL) his first time in London will definitely be a memorable one. The Irishman was third on Sunday in the World Cup and now took over pole position on Legacy (Chippendale Z). They upgraded the time to beat to a whopping fast 34,82s, being over two seconds faster than Vrieling.
Could Ben Maher live up to his role as favorite of the crowd? Aboard of Ginger-Blue (Plot Blue), the home rider did what he does best - go fast. But not fast enough as he finished with only eight hundredths of a second more on the clock. Three clear rounds so far, halfway in. France's Jeanne Sadran finished with only one fault on Dexter de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago). Adrian Schmid (SUI) secured himself a steady and above all clear round with Chicharito 11 (Casalito).
Last to go was Marcus Ehning. Could the German rider top Coyle's time? Counting on Priam du Roset (Plot Blue), Ehning didn't go after a fast round but stayed clear, securing himself a fourth place.
TOP FIVE
- Daniel Coyle (IRL) - Legacy (Chippendale Z)
- Ben Maher (GBR) - Ginger-Blue (Plot Blue)
- Jur Vrieling (NED) - Griffin van de Heffinck (Castelino van de Helle)
- Marcus Ehning (GER) - Priam du Roset (Plot Blue)
- Adrian Schmid (SUI) - Chicharito 11 (Casalito)
