Scott Brash takes Grand Prix in Estoril

Scott Brash has claimed his second LonginesGlobalChampionsTour Grand Prix of the season, with a scorching round in Estoril, Portugal.

Good horse

The world number one said he had an ‘odd’ first round, when Hello Sanctos got his tongue over the bit, but the Olympic gold-medalists still managed to produce a clear round.

“I jumped one and two which felt good, three felt a bit strange and I had to work very hard, harder than normal,” he said. “I came down the last line and I softened my hands a little as he was uncomfortable in the mouth, and I realised he had his tongue over his bit.

“I don’t know how long it had been like that, but it shows what a good horse he is to try like that still.”

One of the greats

Rodrigo Pessoa set the standard in the jump-off with a time 46.24sec onboard Status, a horse he has only been riding for six months.

Second-last to go was Scott, who is never one to shy away from a challenge. He remained characteristically cool to produce a foot-perfect round, in a winning time of 45.43sec.

“Sanctos is unbelievable – he is just a winner and he wants to win,” said Scott. “I am sure he is one of the greats. There were fantastic riders and horses in the jump-off and it’s a big advantage coming near the end, so I was able to see Rodrigo and Nick.”

Swing of things

Nick Skelton and Big Star were competing at top level together for the first time since the stallion was injured last year. It looked like he had never been away as the pair broke the beam in a very fast time of 43.32sec.

However, an unlucky four faults at the last fence cost Nick the class and they had to settle for third place.

“I am very pleased with him, because he has been off for nine months,” said Nick. “It’s the first time he is back in the swing of things. He jumped great. I will see where we go from here.”

Scott is on scorching form, as he won the CSI5* 1.50/55m class the night before, once again riding Hello Sanctos. Following his Grand Prix win, he is in sixth place on theGCT leaderboard, and just30 points offEdwina Tops-Alexander who is currently in pole position.