Equestrianism: Frenchman opens slender advantage

Pierre De Bastard, a 32-year-old Frenchman who is based with the Cadre Noir at Saumur, held the lead when the dressage phase of the Bramham Three- Day Event finished yesterday, writes Genevieve Murphy.

Riding Tresor du Cochet, he holds a 1.6-point advantage over Blyth Tait, the overnight leader on Stroke of Luck, and Anne-Marie Evans, who has joined him in joint second place on Dutch Treat.

The best marks of the day came from the two who were riding their Olympic short-listed horses - William Fox-Pitt on Cosmopolitan II and Mary King on Star Appeal. Both are running hors concours (which means that they are not eligible for any prizes) but the selectors will have been pleased with Cosmopolitan's 42 penalties and Star Appeal's 45.