Quick victory for Whitaker

Equestrianism

Michael Whitaker combined skill and daring to breathtaking effect when he rode Everest My Mesieur to win the Kerrygold Speed Stakes on the opening day of the Dublin Horse Show, writes Genevieve Murphy from Dublin. He won by a substantial 6.42sec when defeating two fellow Britons, William Funnell on Impressionist and John Whitaker on Randi.

Funnell, a last-minute substitute for Geoff Billington, was never a serious threat. "Michael didn't take a pull anywhere but I did - I suppose I chickened out," Funnell said with a smile. He was nevertheless fast enough to fill second place, defeating John Whitaker by 0.04sec.

Herve Godignon won the Kerrygold Welcome Stakes, riding the speedy Twist du Valon. Nick Skelton, on Sublime, and John Whitaker, on Grannusch, both hit the second jump-off fence to finish eighth and ninth respectively. Michael Whitaker, clear in the opening round on Midnight Madness, withdrew before the jump-off.