Nicholson shows winning intent

Andrew Nicholson's bid for a second successive victory with Mr Smiffy in the Burghley Pedigree Horse Trials got away to a splendid start yesterday, when the New Zealander held the lead at the completion of the dressage phase. He moved just 0.2 points ahead of Britain's William Fox-Pitt on Springleaze Macaroo, with the Kiwi world champions – Blyth Tait and Ready Teddy – another 0.2pt behind in third place. Mary King, who held the lead on Thursday with King Solomon III, is lying fourth as they go into today's cross-country.

Nicholson won last year after one of the most amazing near-misses in the history of eventing, in which he contrived to regain the saddle after performing a handstand on Mr Smiffy's neck when the horse had made a momentous blunder. They had then been fifth after the dressage, so yesterday's beautifully fluent test was an improvement on his good 2000 form.

Fox-Pitt took over the ride on Springleaze Macaroo on 7 August, after Katie Parker had broken her pelvis in four places as well as her collar-bone in a fall from a novice horse. Parker had succeeded the late Simon Long, who sustained fatal injuries here two years ago when Springleaze Macaroo fell on him. Notwithstanding the terrible accident, the Irish-bred gelding is considered a good cross-country performer.

"He's remarkably straightforward and genuine, but he's also uncomfortable," Fox-Pitt said. "He has a punchy trot, it's like sitting on a piston."

Nobody was within the cross-country time last year and riders believe that the maximum of 12 minutes and 32 seconds allowed for a course that has plenty of twists and turns, will again be difficult to achieve today. Nicholson nevertheless thinks that a few horses will be fast enough. "The last third of the course is very quick, with plain fences – but don't get me wrong, it's not easy," he said. "Sometimes it's easier to have a few difficult fences towards the end, because it keeps the horse sharp and you sharp."

If Nicholson expects to see a few clear rounds that are within the time, does he intend to have one of them? "I intend to have two," he said, reminding us that he is also riding New York today.