Irish riders have continued to show their individual dominance at Rotterdam’s five-star show in the Netherlands, with Cian O’Connor making it a three-in-a-row victory this morning on Copain du Perchet.

The in-form Olympic bronze medallist, who has just recently returned from an extended injury lay-off, was 42nd to jump from a big 62-strong international field, and laid down a marker of 64.87 seconds, which ultimately proved impossible to neat.

O’Connor’s nearest challenger was Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann with Hermes de Mariposa, who eventually settled for a runner-up spot in 65.30 seconds.

Ireland also claimed a third place in the shape of Shane Breen with Laith, while Darragh Kenny and C’Est Beau came home in fourth.

O’Connor, Kenny, Breen and Bertram Allen will all be in this afternoon’s Rotterdam Nations Cup, and confidence is high in Rodrigo Pessoa’s camp, with Darragh Kenny and Chanel having preceded O’Connor’s success with a win in Thursday’s 1m55 class, and on the same night Mark McAuley taking the Port Club Rotterdam Prize with Jacintha v. Kriekenhof.

O’Connor praised Copain du Perchet, who last week also won the opening class at Treffen in Austria.

“He is a lovely horse, very balanced and quite easy to go quick on. I just got him this year and he won a class in Treffen too so he is consistent and I am very happy with him. It was a competitive class and he won it well.”

Jack Burns