Bertram Allen and Molly Malone finish fourth in Italian World Cup while Kilkenny’s Ivan Dalton wins in Belgium

Wexford’s Bertram Allen and the grey mare Molly Malone have recorded Ireland’s best result so far in this years Longines FEI World Cup, taking fourth place today (Sunday) in the third round of the series at Verona in Italy.

Bertram Allen and Molly Malone

Fourteen combinations made it through to the jump-off, with Allen and Molly Malone looking to repeat their 2014 World Cup win at the same venue. Allen raced into the lead when posting a clear in 38.60 seconds as eighth to go against the clock. A thrilling climax saw the lead change on a number of occasions, before Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Calisto Blue eventually came out on top with a clear in 36.83 when last to jump.

Deusser took home a winners prize of €47,500 while Allen collected €14,000 for his fourth place finish. The result gives Allen his first points on the World Cup league table and he now sits in 13th, while Denis Lynch is in 20th.

The Longines FEI World Cup moves to Lyon in France next weekend for the fourth round of the series.

Meanwhile at Sentower Park in Belgium, Kilkenny’s Ivan Dalton came out on top in the two-star Grand Prix. He guided Ajaccienne to the fastest double clear round to push Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum into second with Calle. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch finished third with Caruso, while Kilkenny’s Ger O’Neill took sixth place with Castlefield Vegas (ISH).