Seven Badminton champions on this year's event entries list

Seven former winning riders are due to start, but no previous equine victors are on the list

- PIPPA ROOME

SEVEN riders who have won Badminton previously – but no horses – are on the entry list for this year’s Mars-sponsored event (8–12 May).

Former winners Ros Canter, on last year’s Pau winner Izilot DHI, and Piggy March, whose ride Brookfield Inocent has had some time out with injury, are among the pre-event favourites. Ros and Izilot are also entered at Kentucky (25–28 April) two weeks before Badminton, so may head to the USA instead.

Oliver Townend has three horses on the Badminton list, but they are double-entered so he will only start on two. His best chance of a second Badminton title lies with the experienced Ballaghmor Class.