Updated Conor Swail's fine form continues with second place finish aboard Count Me In in Florida

Conor Swail and Count Me In claimed an impressive runner-up finish in last night's $406,000 (€358,000) Fidelity Investments five-star Grand Prix on the fifth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

World number nine Swail was one of eight combinations from seven different countries who jumped clear in the first round and he took the lead when second last to go in the jump-off, crossing the line clear in 41.42 seconds.

Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt was last to go with Coby 8, and he claimed victory with a perfectly-judged clear in 40.96.

"This was his first start of 2022, so I was a bit unsure about him going straight into the five-star," said Swail of Count Me In.

"He jumped incredibly well, and as far as the jump-off goes, I think if I had to do it again I would've done a better job. I am delighted with the horse, and obviously it was a fantastic result."

Swail has been on a hot streak from the latter part of 2021 to now, having won the FEI Jumping World Cup at Fort Worth in December and the $138,600 three-star Grand Prix just last week in California.

"The ranking is a by-product of being consistent, and that is what I’m aiming for," added the Co Down man.

"I have a great group of horses at the moment, and they are giving me great chances to do well, which I am benefitting from."

Kilkenny's Jack Ryan continued his brilliant run of results on the world stage, claiming the runner-up spot with BBS McGregor in the five-star Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

Twenty-one-year-old Ryan and BBS McGregor were a key part of the recent winning Irish Nations Cup team in Abu Dhabi.

Ryan picked up just one time fault in the first round of today's competition which was enough to give one of the 10 places available in the jump-off.

He kept the fences standing again in the second round to finish on his one fault score from the first round to take second place overall.

Tipperary's Trevor Breen and Highland President finished in seventh place with one fence down in the jump-off, just ahead of Derry’s David Simpson and Foudre F in eighth.

Victory went to Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks and Valour with the only double-clear of the competition, while Sweden’s Evelina Tovek finished third with Winnetou de la Hamente Z.