Hotshot mare makes it a British hat-trick

A Brazilian makes good his plan, Henrik von Eckermann continues his winning streak and a five-star first-timer enjoys a great show

BRAZIL'S Francisco José Mesquita Musa took his third five-star victory on British soil in as many weeks when he headed the Lugano Diamonds Trophy, riding his hotshot mare Catch Me Marathon.

At the Royal International, Francisco and the 15-year-old Hanoverian headed the speed classic for the second consecutive year, also proving unmatchable in an earlier two-phase, and they carried their form on to Chelsea where they won the tussle for the top in this 1.50m class by 0.31sec.

“I made my plan and I made good my plan,” said Francisco, who credits this mare’s winning record to her economy through the air. “I tried to make one stride less one to fence two but kept the rest the same as the others.”

It was Henrik von Eckermann and his similarly brilliant speed mare Dzara Dorchival who was hottest on his heels, having already headed the individual rankings in round one of the previous day’s GCL.

The Qlassic Bois Margot 10-year-old has now won at four out of five of her most recent LGCT appearances, only missing out on the top spot in Monte Carlo, where she was second twice.

These two virtuosos kept Britain off the top two spots on the podium in this €14,375-tothe-winner class, but they did fill the next three, with Scott Brash a mere 0.08sec behind on his consistent speed partner Hello Mr President. Matt Sampson was also in the money in fourth with James Davenport’s Daniel, while Barbara Hester’s chestnut stallion Ebanking was fifth for Joe Stockdale.