THOUGH France dominated the big feature class at the opening day of the five-star show in Doha, Qatar today (Thursday), two Irish riders took top ten places, both recording double clear rounds.

Tipperary's Denis Lynch finished in fifth with Thomas Straumann's gelding 'All Inclusive NRW', while 24 year-old Mark McAuley from Co. Louth slotted Luiz Felipe de Azevedo's gelding 'Loriot' into sixth.

France's Roger-Yves Bost took the 24,000 euro top prize on 'Ideal de la Loge', while fellow-countrymen Michel Robert and Simon Delestre finished in second and third, respectively.

Doha is the first leg of the rich 2011 Global Champions' Tour, with a massive 475,000 euro in prize money designated for Saturday's Grand Prix.

Ireland is also represented at the Qatar venue by Billy Twomey and Jessica Kurten.

Denis Lynch