Law leads field at Blarney event

Britain's Graham Law, whose older brother Leslie won at Blarney Castle 12 months ago with the Irish export Shear L'Eau, heads the two-star field at the Co Cork venue after the dressage. A mark of 38.8 with the eight-year-old St Edward, put him one point clear of compatriot William Fox-Pitt and the year-younger Tamarillo.

St Edward was fourth at the Burgie one-star last June but then retired at the World Young Horse championships at Le Lion d'Angers last autumn after the horse lost a shoe on the cross-country. Law plans to take him to Blenheim in September, but needs a good finish at Blarney to qualify. Fox-Pitt, a winner here three years ago with the Irish-bred Pie In The Sky, had looked a clear leader after a classy test with Mary Guinness' Tamarillo, but lost marks for getting stuck in his first pirouette and was eventually relegated by Law and St Edward.

Best of the home side is Sasha Harrison on Parsley, who lost out on a three-star victory at Punchestown with All Love du Fenaud 10 days ago with time faults in the show jumping. She shares third place with Rachelle Harding and Glencool.

The second half of the 93-runner one-star will appear in the arena today. The Irish dominate the top echelons, with Co Down rider Alex Hynds well out in front with Eggor McGreggor, whose mark of 41.6 leaves him six penalties in front.

Blarney Castle two-star (placings after dressage) - 1, Britain's St Edward (Graham Law), 38.4 penalties; 2, Britain's Tamarillo (William FoxPitt), 39.8; equal 3, Ireland's Parsley (Sasha Harrison) and Glencool (Rachelle Harding), 41.4; 5, Britain's Dust In The Wind (Andrea Morris), 44.2; 6, Britain's Bart (Polly Alvin), 47.2.

Blarney Castle one-star (placings after first day of dressage) - 1, Ireland's Eggor McGreggor (Alex Hynds), 41.6 penalties; 2, Ireland's Rioja (Jane O'Flynn), 47.6; 3, Ireland's Grange Bouncer (Clare Lambert), 50.2; 4, Sweden's Orange Hall (Linda Segerblom), 50.4; 5, Ireland's Lord Robert (Karen Connolly), 51.4; equal 6, Ireland's Newtown Flight (Joanne Jarden), Ferndale Princely Son (Jeremy Spring) and Derravaragh Breeze (Edwina McDonald), 51.6.