Edwards' remarkable home-soil hat-trick

The Welsh wonder Mark Edwards dazzles on home soil and a syndicate horse does his owners proud

- SARAH RADFORD

Wales and West Welsh Masters, David Broome Event Centre, Monmouthshire

MARK EDWARDS’ relentless form is often at its most reliable on Welsh soil and although he relinquished the grand prix here last year, this time he was back to claim an unequivocal win, storming 3.49sec ahead on the remarkable Flying Tinker II.

Marlene Edwards’ 13-yearold gelding, who was H&H’s 2023 showjumping horse of the year, returned from rankings wins in Italy to make light work of Raf Suarez’s 1.40m track, jumping the quickest of four double clears in 36.9sec to secure the £1,600 winner’s cheque.

Mark’s nearest rivals were left tightly bunched around the 40-second mark, with 0.45sec splitting Bethanie Knight (Mr Thunder) in second, Nick Benterman (Billy Quids In) in third and Serena Kullich (Benfields Victory) in fourth.

Only one other rider in the jump-off of the Equestrian Surfaces grand prix, Laura Mantel (Calcourt Clear Gold), broke the 40-second barrier but added four faults.

“There were a couple of long runs to verticals, where I could keep trusting him and I got in a good rhythm,” said Mark, who was taking his third victory in this grand prix, having won it in 2021 and 2022 with Montreuxs Tale.

“When he’s clear he’s normally there, there’s not many that can beat him. He’s very active and he loves his job and makes it easy. You never worry about a fence with him.”