PAUL DARRAGH celebrated his first appearance at the Olympia International Championships in London for 14 years with an opening day victory.
Darragh, a late inclusion after winning the recent World Cup qualifier in Seville, captured the Christmas Candle Stakes with the eight-year-old mare, Scandal.
Michael Whitaker, appearing in the purple colours of his newest sponsor, Virtual Village, was runner-up. Both riders picked up points to qualify for today's lucrative Masters Championship, to be contested by seven riders chasing a possible top prize of £21,000.
Darragh, whose win with Cera in Seville was his first in a World Cup event, said: "It certainly got me to the show, which is what everyone wants to come to."
Scandal and Cera are owned by King Hussein's 22-year-old daughter Princes Haya, who is also competing at the five-day show.
Darragh, whose only other appearance was when he won a pairs relay with Michael Whitaker, is helping the princess prepare the two mares for possible selection to the Sydney Olympics.
Darragh took the £1,500 prize with the fastest of nine clears on Scandal, an Australian thoroughbred
He took nearly two seconds off the time set by Whitaker, with eight-year-old Ashley, while Germany's Franke Sloothaak took third place on Weihaiwej.
