EQUESTRIAN SPORT/Punchestown: Lucinda Fredericks, British-born but now riding for her husband Clayton's native Australia, has got her Punchestown campaign off to a perfect start by claiming pole position going into today's cross-country in the IFG three-star class.

Fredericks and the Irish-bred Ballyleck Boy were called into the dressage arena in the worst of yesterday's torrential rain, but the elements made no difference to their performance and, with only one minor hiccup, swept into the lead with a mark of 37.4 penalties.

But there are plenty of others waiting to pounce on the top slot if Fredericks or Ballyleck Boy should falter, including Badminton winner Pippa Funnell, currently second with Primmore's Pride, which was fourth in the two-star here two years ago and went on to win the world young horse championships at Le Lion d'Angers that autumn.

Fredericks' compatriot Matt Ryan is also handily poised in third with his Necarne CIC winner Bonza Puzzle, ahead of another brace of Irish-bred horses with British-born jockeys, Call Again Cavalier (Vicky Brake) and Sir Roselier (Julie Tew).

Irish riders are further down the order, with Jane O'Flynn best of the home side in 14th.