Ireland’s Bertram Allen saw off some of the world's top equestrian stars to win his second World Cup competition as he propelled himself to the top of the Western European league table with victory in Bordeaux.
The Wexford rider guided 17-year-old stallion Romanov to two scintillating clear rounds as the duo shaved over a second off the time set by leader and world number two Ludger Beerbaum aboard Chaman in the 11 horse jump-off.
The 19-year-old’s first taste of World Cup success came in Verona last November on the mare Molly Malone V.
Already qualified for the World Cup finals at Las Vegas in April, Allen's triumph tonight in the 11th leg of the World Cup series also takes him to the top of the Longines Western European Jumping
League, eight points ahead of former European champion Kevin Staut of France.
Denis Lynch and All Star 5 finished eighth after dropping one pole in the jump-off.
