Austin O'connor, who thwarted all his rivals to claim the Blarney Castle one-star honours with Newhouse Samuel 12 months ago, opened his bid for the double in fine style yesterday afternoon, riding the chestnut Billy Whizz to head the field going into today's cross-country action.

Fourth last into the dressage arena, the Cornish-based Corkman produced a seamless test with the eight-year-old gelding to relegate British duo John Paul Sheffield and Nova Top, with Thursday's overnight leaders Patricia Donegan and Don't Step Back pushed down to third.

The top end of the two-star field showed little alteration after the second dressage session however, with Suffolk rider Anne Chambers Bondi holding onto the advantage established on Thursday morning with Five-A-Side, previously ridden by last month's Badminton winner Chris Bartle.

Britain's Graham Law (Tax Haven) and Belgium's Hendrik Degros (Milton) remain in second and third, just ahead of best of Ireland's fourth-placed Tom Doherty. But, while the Carrickfergus jockey is planning to take all the direct routes with the giant Ballyharry in today's crosscountry, Chambers Bondi is not quite so confident and intends adopting a rather more cautious approach to the 25-fence track.

Italy's Ilari Arnaldi, currently based in Ireland with Carol Gee, tops the junior ranks with the grey Sportsfield Kings Phurir, one point clear of Alex Hynds and Angel City. Davinia Anderson and Barnaby Blue share third place with Tom Magnier.