Birch is back in the big time

A former Olympic reserve rider scores her first international win in four years, while Kelsall specialists make their mark again

- ELLIE HUGHES

Kelsall Hill (1), Cheshire

SAMMI BIRCH and Jutopia swept to victory in the CCI3*-S, adding just a smattering of time-penalties to their leading first-phase score of 23.4.

"She's been on the cusp of a big win," said Sammi of the Dutch-bred 10-year-old mare by Carentino Gold, who is owned by Susan Lamb and Therese Miller. "She's always been super-talented on the flat, so to be in the lead and then stay there was really exciting." Sammi has produced Jutopia (Lola) "we call her 'Lovely Lola' at home because she's so easy and always tries her hardest" from a five-yearold, when the mare joined her from Rowland Fernyhough.

The pair had a good completion in the eight- and nine-year-olds at Blenheim last year, just after Sammi returned from maternity leave.