Ireland’s Darragh Kenny gave the spectators a thrilling end to this morning’s 1m45 Snowflake Stakes at London’s five-star Olympia show when scorching home to claim first place on Fixdesign Funke van’t Heike.

Swedish rider Malin Baryard-Johnsson on H&M Second Chance had prevailed for most of the contest with a clear in 50.30, a time only seriously threatened by home rider Robert Bevis who steered Courtney Z home in 50.96.

After almost twenty riders had failed to catch the leader, Kenny swooped right at the end to post the only sub-50 second time of the event and take the honours with almost half a second to spare.

This afternoon Bertram Allen and High Valley finished 6th in the 1m45 Snowman Stakes, which was won by American Laura Kraut and Cavalia.

Mike Dunne

Snowflake Stakes 1m45
1. Fixdesign Funke van’t Heike/Darragh Kenny (IRL) 0 49.86
2. H&M Second Chance/Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) 0 50.30
3. Courtney Z/Robert Bevis (GBR) 0 50.96