Champagne Super Nova II

Spencer Wilton secures grand prix double on board his Tokyo hopeful

- ELEANOR JONES

IT has been a superb start to 2020 for Spencer Wilton and Super Nova II, who took victory here in both the grand prix and the grand prix special.

Until the Lier CDI last month, the pair had not competed since the 2018 World Equestrian Games, where they were on the bronze medal-winning British team, but they have made it four wins out of four so far this year. Jen Goodman and Spencer’s British Hanoverian gelding, known as Neville, is 17 now, but his presence in the ring is as commanding as ever, and Spencer was delighted with both his performances, scoring 75.65% in the grand prix and 75.87% in the special.

“It was probably the most pleased I’ve been with him in terms of rideability [in the special],” he said. “He was so rideable; more relaxed than normal, and he worked so hard for his marks.”

The De Niro son’s special performance was not fault-free; there was an unscheduled canter transition in the extended trot and he walked in the last canter-trot transition “which he never does”. But the fact he achieved such scores reflects the overall quality of the performance.

“Even aged 17, and after 10 years together, he still surprises me, and keeps me on my toes,” Spencer said. “I’m delighted with his marks.”

Spencer added that Neville had been slightly nervous in his first test, making it a challenging ride.

“But even though he’s nervous, he still really tries to do the right thing,” he said.