Shane Breen came close to winning the legendary Hickstead Derby in England today but dropped to joint-third when British riders Tim Stockdale and Ben Maher tied for first place, with Maher eventually winning in a jump-off.
Riding the French-bred Iman d'Occagnes, a veteran of the Irish national Grand Prix circuit, the Tipperary-born rider racked up just eight faults on the punishing Derby course and held equal first position for a time with Britain's Nicky Boulter.
However, they were soon joined by Britain's Chloe Bunn, also on eight faults, but the trio were denied the jump-off when Maher and Stockdale managed to finish the track with just one fence down apiece.
Breen will be lining out for Ireland at the Super League Nations Cup show in Aachen, Germany, next week.
