DAVE Quigley was best of the Irish on the opening day (Thursday) of the Derby Meeting at Hickstead in England with a fourth place in the big jump-off class.

The Wexford rider, who scored a runner-up finish in the Portuguese Grand Prix earlier this month with 'Ulot', brought the same horse through to the five-horse final round this afternoon, but with only two clears achieved, one by British winner William Funnell, Quigley had to settle for fourth overall.

Shane Breen and the Irish-bred 'Dorada' placed sixth, as fastest of the first round time-faulters.
 

Dave Quigley