TIPPERARY'S Shane Breen took the runner-up spot in the Flanders Derby at Lummen in Belgium today (Saturday), a single time fault denying him the winner's trophy.

Riding the Irish-bred chestnut gelding 'Dorada', Breen was tying with Britain's Robert Whitaker and Belgium's Nick Motmans after the first round, and while Motmans had one fence down in the jump-off, both Breen and Whitaker went clear. But the British rider, aboard 'Watch Me IV', came home inside the time, while Breen was almost five seconds slower and incurred a time penalty.

Eighth place in the 16-horse competition went to Breen's younger brother Trevor and 'Adventure de Kannan', who had 20 faults first time out.

Earlier, Ireland's Shane Carey had a sixth place in the Small Tour Final with the bay gelding 'Temple Road'. The competition was won by local rider Gregory Wathelet and 'Kronos d'Ouilly'.

Shane Breen