Relaxed Start to Europe’s Richest Grand Prix Meeting

Although the 2** invitational show began yesterday the big guns only got going today as the Global Champions tour moved to its Portuguese leg.

After a training round yesterday in the immaculate grass arena everyone was ready for the opening speed class. As might be expected Roger Yves Bost set the standard on Jovis de Ravel who also won a similar class in Hamburg. He looked like winning for a long time as another 25 riders had been before someone went faster than the 59.49 he had set. And it was Saudi Arabia's Kamal Bahamdan who did it on chestnut mare Pinochetta 2 crossing the line in 58.97. However his lead lasted only as long as it took the next competitor to enter the arena because Holland’s Leopold van Asten was next to go and he skated round on VDL Groep Amelie in 58.6. Leopold has only had the ride on the British bred mare by Luidam since Novemberand thinks she is still improving. “She is only 10 and very fast, but she has started jumping some 1.50 classes and doing well so I think there is more to come from her” he said afterwards.

Frank Rothenberger made use of the combination towards the crowd trick again in the second class as he had done in Monaco and Valencia but the riders did seem more ready for it though it ended the chances of Julien Epaillard and Gianni Govoni. The first fence actually caused more problem as did a double in front of the VIP area.

That said, Henk Van de Pol and Rhodus proved the course was jump-able early on in the class and he was soon joined by Richard Spooner (Cristallo), Thomas Fruhmann (The Sixth Sense),Cian O'Connor (Rancorrado), Ulrich Kirchoff (Carino 188), Ben Maher (RobinHood W), Marco Kutscher (Cornet Obolensky) and Robert Whitaker reunited with Casino after the horse had been ridden for a few shows by father John.

But despite all these luminary names the jump off was a rather bloodless affair, doubtless because several of the riders were thinking about the Estoril Grand Prix which is worth over 136'000Euro to the winner, making it the top prize in Europe, if not the world. Henk van de Pol was first to go and Rhodos flashed through the finish in 35.49 and no-one else even got close to catching him. “Rhodus is a naturally fast horse” said Henk, “so I did not need to make a plan to go this way and he certainly seems to like the grass arena. This is my first time here and I am certainly enjoying it so far, the facilities are great and the town is also nice.” This was the horse's third win on the tour after he scored in Arezzo and Valencia. A temporary loss of form in Cannes and Monaco have now been forgiven with another 7500 Euro in the bag. Marco Kutscher was second in the end and Ben Maher third.

Cian O'Connor rejoined the Tour with fourth place, Robert Whitaker was fifth and Richard Spooner sixth.

Quotes
Kamal Bahamdam- “Every time I get placed at one of these shows it is still a great thrill for me, I never get used to it! My mare was fantastic, she always tries really hard and to be placed in such company with all these top riders is
really inspiring.”

Marco Kutscher- “It is good to be back in form again. I am still wearing the shoulder brace under my jacket but everything feels good, and the horse jumped really well.”