Denis Lynch put everyone alert at Los Angeles last night by taking two top ten places in the opening competition at the five star show.

Competing in the KTLA Trophy, the Tipperary rider claimed fifth place on the nine year-old bay Ho Go van de Padenborre, and for good measure brought the 11 year-old gelding Campino home in seventh.

With a big class of 50 competing, Lynch was the only Irish competitor to make a dent in the top ten.

This speed class was won by Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano with the bay mare Guess 6, while second place went to Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat with Concetto Son, and third to France’s Patrice Delaveau and Leontine Ledimar HDC.

Lynch is joined at the Los Angeles Masters by fellow Irish riders Cian O’Connor and Conor Swail.

The Los Angeles Longines Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 14:15 Los Angeles time.

Jack Burns