Yesterday’s brave bid by Ireland’s Bertram Allen to win a third class at the five-star show in London’s Olympia arena came undone at the bogey fence in the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier jump-off.

Out of 38 starters over a course designed by Irishman Alan Wade, 13 combinations made it through to the second round, with three others being denied qualification when picking up a single time fault apiece.

Up on the clock

Wexford-born Allen was second last to take on the shortened track, bidding to go clear in a time faster than the 37.66 set by Germany’s Marco Kurscher on Cornet’s Cristallo.

Riding Molly Malone V, which is owned by his family’s Ballywalter Farms, the 19-year-old was well up on the clock (36.81). However, the grey mare lowered the H&M vertical at seven, as did four others, to pick up four faults. Allen eventually finished seventh, behind the six who had gone clear.

Second place went to Germany’s Daniel Deusser, who stopped the clock on 38.44 with Carriere, while the defending champion, Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson who was riding for the class sponsor, finished third in 38.44 with the one-eyed H&M Tornesch.

Allen, who landed Friday’s speed stakes on Ballywalter Farms and Billy Twomey’s Wild Thing L, won Saturday’s Masters with Aminko N. The Irish pairing were clear in the fourth and final jump-off to claim the €13,000 first prize, as Belgium’s Jos Verlooy, who is also just 19, had a fence down with Golden Horta.

New ride

Allen only got the ride on Twomey’s Aminko N, a nine-year-old bay stallion by Numero Uno, last Wednesday as he felt he was short on horse power going to Olympia.

Currently the highest-placed Irish rider in the FEI world rankings at 17, Allen has enjoyed a remarkable year. On his first appearance at an FEI World Cup show, Allen picked up 20 points for winning at Verona last month and is eighth in the Western European league table.