Lennon takes first honours at Olympia

Dermott Lennon took the first honours for Ireland in the World Cup show at Olympia in London with a comfortable win in Thursday's feature jump-off class.

With Judith Sossick's Irish-bred mare Loughview Lou Lou, the Co Down rider was one of 14 through to the jump-off from a field of 32, and claimed the trophy with more than a second in hand, successfully fending off a challenge from British veteran John Whitaker and Dazzle II.

Lennon, a former world champion, also took the first feature-class with Loughview Lou Lou at last week's World Cup show in Geneva, Switzerland.

Billy Twomey and Romanov made it through to the jump-off, but a single mistake in the final round left them in ninth place overall.

Meath's Cian O'Connor also took a ninth place in the opening competition at Olympia with his new gelding Blue Loyd, recording a zero score but finishing a good seven seconds off the pace of Norwegian winner Geir Gulliksen and Rusedski II.

The Rolex World Cup class takes place at the historic English venue on Sunday afternoon.