In the run-up to his team participation at Dublin, Bertram Allen powered home winner of the five-star Grand Prix in Dinard, France, on Sunday. With the mare that he is saving for the Europeans, Molly Molone, he took the top prize ahead of former European Champion Kevin Staut on Reveur de Hortebese. From a start list of 42, Bertram had one of five clears and then one of just three against the clock. His time of 46.54 had almost half a second to spare over that set by the French star. The win shows that Molly is in good form as Allen looks ahead to the Europeans. At Dublin this week, he will be riding Billy Twomey’s stallion, Romanov.

Billy also scored a win at Dinard on the ever dependable mare Tinka’s Serenade in a 1.55m class.

At Hickstead, the Breen brothers were well in the prizes. Trevor scored a 1.45m win with Georgie D’Auvrey. Shane came second in another 1.45m on Reconnaissance and had a fifth as well. Belgium won the Nations Cup after a three-way jump off.