Sasha Harrison, overnight leader in the IFG three-star class and set to become Ireland's first winner at Punchestown since 1986, lost it on the clock in yesterday's tense show jumping finale, sliding to third with a fence down and four time-faults to hand victory to Frenchman Franck Bourny, literally at the final hurdle.
Harrison had rocketed up the placings during Saturday's cross country when the talented All Love du Fenaud scorched round Kitty Keys' cross-country track 20 seconds inside the time to move up from sixth after the dressage to first with a fence in hand. But the French-bred's turn of foot had to be kept in check for yesterday's show jumping and, when a rail from the second fence fell, all attention focused on the clock.
However, with one fence left to jump, Harrison had already run out of time. When All Love du Fenaud finally crossed the finish line, an extra 3.6 seconds had elapsed and the nine faults had dropped the Irish hope to third behind Bourny and the Irish-bred Mallard's Treat and Germany's Bettina Overesch (Unsung Hero).
Those few moments halved Harrison's winnings from u £4,000 to u £2,000 but she has at least been named at the head of the Irish shortlist for the Sydney Olympics. Also listed are seventh-placed Patricia Donegan (Don't Step Back), Eric Smiley (Irish Patriot) in 13th, Trevor Smith (High Scope) 18th, Susan Shortt (Joy Of My Heart) 25th, Nicola Cassidy (Mr Mullins) 27th and Austin O'Connor (Horseware Fabio) in 31st.
A notable absentee from the list is Jane O'Flynn's ride Kilnadeema Star which had held overnight 11th after the crosscountry but was withdrawn yesterday morning with an injured hind fetlock.
The loss of Kilnadeema Star also put paid to Ireland's team chances. Holding a slender lead after the cross country, the home side then dropped to fourth when Nicola Cassidy's discard score with Mr Mullins had to be brought into the calculation. Ireland finished fourth behind the three-man Belgian squad, all mounted on Irish exports.
Boosted by Bourny's individual victory, the French team moved up to second ahead of Britain whose hand had been considerably weakened by the loss of dressage leaders Pippa Funnell and General Salute on Saturday.
Funnell, the reigning European champion, had better luck in the KPMG two-star when moving up to fourth place with Primmore's Pride.
World and Olympic champion Blyth Tait took the honours with the nine-year-old New Zealand-bred Eze ahead of British rider Daisy Dick and the Irish gelding Spring Along.
There was no joy for the Irish in the CLG young rider class which was won by Swiss rider Nadja Baroni on Giuadalquivir.
George Russell and Kool Cavalier were best of the home side in eighth, but an Irish victory was at least assured in the national young riders class, which was a runaway victory for 16-year-old Philippa Peters on Tir Na Doone.
