Darragh Kenny was in outstanding form on the opening day of five-star action at the Longines Global Champions Tour meeting in Shanghai.

The Irishman netted the main class of the day on board Charly Chaplin S, having earlier finished second in the two-phase competition with Chanel.

In the main contest, the first round of which doubled as the Global Champions League team event, the Irish rider’s clear round helped put his team Paris Panthers into third place ahead of tomorrow’s concluding round.

Along with eighteen other riders who went clear, Kenny then progressed to the individual decider, and his super-sharp round in 38.87 proved decisive, with Germany’s David Will having to settle for second on Mic Mac du Tillard ahead of Belgian Jos Verlooy in third on Caracas.

Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V had four faults in the team round and so did not qualify for the individual jump-off. Allen’s team mate Alberto Zorzi also had four faults with Fair Light van’t Heike, leaving Valkenswaard United with ground to make up tomorrow if they are to hold onto the overall lead in the GCL standings.

Mike Dunne