Allen fourth in Dutch five-star jump-off, Hanley wins at Millstreet

WEXFORD’S Bertram Allen was 6,000 euro richer after a fourth place in the mean feature class at Valkenswaard’s five-star show today (Friday), while Mayo’s Cameron Hanley took just under 8,500 euro for a win at Millstreet in Co. Cork.

Riding the nine year-old Belmonde, Allen was one of 12 to make the cut for the jump-off at the Netherlands show, and took an early lead with Ballywalter Farms’s gelding, but eventually was outpaced by three riders following, with the 20,000 euro first prize going to the world’s number one-ranked rider, Britain’s Scott Brash, who piloted Hello Forever.

Allen will be hoping for a bigger slice of the prize money in Saturday’s Global Champions’ Tour Grand Prix at Valkenswaard, where fellow-countryman Denis Lynch will be aiming to join him on the start list.

At Millstreet’s three-star show, meanwhile, Cameron Hanley took the honours in this evening’s main jump-off competition aboard his own gelding Antello Z, stopping the jump-off clock one-and-a-half seconds ahead of his nearest challenger, Derry’s Daniel Coyle and John D. Carr’s chestnut gelding Zuidam, who collected 5,000 euro for their runner-up place.

Paul Kennedy and Cartown Danger Mouse took fourth place for Ireland in a 47-strong international field.

Bertram Allen and Belmonde in action at Valkenswaard