Radiator's success cheers Tebbel

Rene Tebbel, the German winner of last year's valuable Calgary Grand Prix, made good use of Radiator's speed and accurate jumping when winning yesterday's Welcome Stakes on the opening day of the Dublin Horse Show.

Rene Tebbel, the German winner of last year's valuable Calgary Grand Prix, made good use of Radiator's speed and accurate jumping when winning yesterday's Welcome Stakes on the opening day of the Dublin Horse Show.

Tebbel was under a cloud last November, having been accused of using a sensitising substance under the bandages of a horse called Percy, when riding him in Stuttgart. A ban of eight months was subsequently imposed by the International Equestrian Federation - Tebbel missed jumping at Olympia where he won the grand prix in 1998 - but the decision was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration in Sport.

No fewer than 17 horses went through to yesterday's jump-off, in which Robert Smith was first to go on Caloubet du Rouet. The horse loves big grass arenas and he was clear again in a time that looked hard to beat. Nevertheless, three did just that, with Tebbel defeating Molly Ashe, of the United States and Michel Hecart, of France.

John Whitaker, who accepted a late invitation to compete here, had a single error at the fourth fence with Virtual Village Steps Helsinki, whom he last partnered in Las Vegas in April. Michael, the younger Whitaker brother, also dropped out with just one mistake in the opening round when Handel removed a rail from the first fence.

Marion Hughes and the 16-year-old grey mare Flo Jo, on whom she twice won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead, gave Ireland a win in the Speed Stakes. Flo Jo was going flat out when she left a pole rocking at the last fence, but it remained on its supports to give the home rider a split-second victory over American Marilyn Little on Pico de Gallo, with John Whitaker third on Hunter's Level.