MEATH'S Cian O'Connor continued with his good run of form down in the United Arab Emirates today (Thursday), placing third in the day's feature class at Abu Dhabi, the Two Phase competition.

The only Irish rider in the competition, O'Connor piloted the Irish-bred mare 'Arabella', but found himself in the last round over two seconds off the pace of new Saudi Arabian star Abdullah al Sharbatli, who also won last week's Arab League World Cup Qualifier competition in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi's Grand Prix Qualifier competition is held on Friday, with the World Cup class taking place on Saturday afternoon.

O'Connor won the Leading Rider Award at Dubai last Saturday, after two wins and a Grand Prix fifth place finish.
 

Cian O'Connor