THE Italian nation’s show jumping sweetheart Lorenzo de Luca once again thrilled his home crowd when he raced to victory in the five-star €350,000 Rolex Grand Prix at the Piazza Di Siena in Rome, where Wexford’s Bertram Allen finished runner-up with Hector van d’Abdijhoeve.

Some 49 combinations started over Uliano Vezzani’s track, and eight of those managed to keep a clear sheet. Five of the four-faulters also went through to make it a competitive 13-horse jump-off. Early to go in the jump-off, America’s McLain Ward posted the quickest time of the class, but as he was carrying four faults from the first round, had to settle for fourth place with HH Azur.

Fourth-last to go, 31-year-old de Luca posted the winning time of 45.37 seconds with the 11-year-old stallion Halifax van het Kluizebos (by Heartbreaker) but had an anxious wait as three of the fastest riders followed.

Portugal’s Luciana Diniz (Fit For Fun) lowered two poles to put herself out of the reckoning. His time was never in jeopardy when Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander broke the beam in 51.67 with Inca Boy van’t Vianahof for third place.

DELIGHTED

Allen was last in to the ring with Noel Delahunty’s 11-year-old stallion Hector van d’Abdijhoeve (by Cabrio van de Heffinck) and looked to be up on the time but a playful buck to the final fence may have cost him the ultimate prize, crossing the line fractions slower than de Luca in 45.97 seconds to collect €70,000.

Mayo’s Michael G Duffy was clear in the first round with Carl Hanley’s Irish Sport Horse gelding Lapuccino 2 (by Livello), but four faults against the clock meant they had to settle for 10th place.

Allen was delighted with his stallion’s performance after a disappointing end to 2017 when Hector lost form.

“It was a proper good Grand Prix with only three double clears. I gave it a good go to try and beat Lorenzo but I was just a bit slow, but I am delighted with Hector, he is in really good form,” Allen said.

“I’ve had Hector now for a few years, he’s an unbelievable jumper, he can do anything, but sometimes he has a bit of a difficult character. At the end of last year it wasn’t going so good for us, so we slowed down and started again and did a few smaller Grand Prix and smaller shows. The Rolex show in Windsor two weeks ago was his first bigger Grand Prix again, he was already clear there, so I thought super – I should be on form for Rome now!”

After becoming the first Italian rider in 24 years to win this Grand Prix, Lorenzo de Luca said: “Winning in Rome is obviously very special to me.

“Every week we travel so far and we always try to win, but of course coming here and trying to win and then actually succeeding, our emotions get so much deeper. Last year we almost did it and now we did it and this is special.”

Allen’s other good result came in Saturday’s 1.45m with his own and Cian O’Connor’s It’s Me. The 10-year-old Cicero Z van Paemel-sired gelding was clear in a time of 59.47 to win €1,500.