DESPITE posting the fastest time in the jump-off, 23 year-old Irish rider Alexander Butler finished in third place in today's (Sunday) Grand Prix at Lummen's three-star show in Belgium.

Butler, who won last week's Grand Prix at Lummen, was once again piloting Harold McGahern's grey Irish-bred Touchdown gelding 'Will Wimble', and was one of ten through to the final round. But a single pole down robbed the Meath rider of a back-to-back victory and he settled for third place and 3750 euro in prize money. Victory went to Netherlands rider Maikel Van Der Vleuten and 'VDL Groep Verdi' on a double clear round.

Paddy O'Donnell and the Irish-bred 'Harristown Princess" failed to make the cut for the jump-off, and finished in 12th overall as the competition's fastest four-faulter.

Earlier, Shane Breen posted a second place in the 1m50 Jump-Off class with the Irish-bred gelding 'Camblin', while Edward Doyle took 12th on 'Clipper vd Begijnakker'. 

Alexander Butler