‘I didn't mean to do that!'

Some quick thinking from Robert Whitaker pays dividends for the sole double clear in the area trial, while a horse bought after a couple of beers shows superstar credentials

- ELEANOR JONES

Pyecombe, West Sussex

ROBERT WHITAKER did not need to set the Paris Arena on fire en route to area trial victory on Major Delacour as he was the only double clear – but it never hurts to make sure of a win.

Robert and the 13-year-old gelding beat Sienna Charles on Ornellaia, Robert’s father John’s Rio Olympics ride, into second as the fastest four-faulters, with Sienna’s sister Scarlett Charles third on Sassicaia Ares.

Second-last to go in a seven-strong jump-off, Robert was the only rider to make an inside turn back to the last upright, which had not entirely been to plan.

“I didn’t mean to do that, but I landed and turned and had no option!” he said.

“Sienna’s normally very quick on that mare, and I thought the fastest four faults would go into the lead anyway.”

Robert praised the Italianbred gelding’s versatility; he came joint-sixth in the 2019 Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby, and cleared 2.20m in the Ripon Select Foods Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) puissance that year.

“You can jump any class on him,” he said. “He’s ultra brave; a really good horse.”

Sienna said her father Peter’s 16-year-old mare, on whom she took the ride last summer, felt “amazing”, finishing a second ahead of Robert but rolling one pole in the combination.

“She jumped her heart out for me,” she said. “This is one of my first shows back; I’ve been out for a couple of months, and being last in, I thought I’d have a good go. We’ll hopefully go up the levels now this summer, and hopefully, go on a few Nations Cup teams.”