IN the first big competition of the Audi Masters weekend at Brussels in Belgium, Ireland's Billy Twomey and Denis Lynch both claimed top five places tonight (Friday).

Thirty-three year-old Twomey was a close runner-up to Belgian winner Rik Hemeryck, finishing just a twentieth of a second off the pace on Sue Davies's bay stallion 'Je t'Aime Flamenco', but collecting 8,000 euro for his efforts.

In the 13 horse jump-off, Tipperary's Denis Lynch finished fourth on Thomas Straumann's ten year-old gelding 'Abbervail van het Dingeshof' for prize money of 4,000 euro.

The Audi Grand Prix takes place at the Belgian five-star show on Sunday, with 150,000 euro and a 50,000 euro Audi car at stake for those who qualify.
 

Billy Twomey