Equestrian:Ireland's Shane Breen delivered an ice-cool display to win his second Bunn Leisure Speed Derby at Hickstead in emphatic fashion.
The Cashel rider, victor three years ago, denied young Somerset prospect Harriet Nuttall a famous triumph when he guided Magic Fox home with more than three seconds to spare.
Last to go in a 25-strong field and with the pressure on, Hickstead-based Breen clocked a time of 96.27 seconds.
Although it proved almost five seconds slower than his course record time aboard Royal Concorde in 2008, Breen’s immaculate jumping display meant there was no time to add and it was a case of mission accomplished.
“I know Magic Fox is pretty quick, but I decided to go steady early on and not go too hard,” he said.
“I am delighted for the mare. She is just unbelievable. This is the fifth show I have done with her this year, and she is always in the top three. She has a heart of gold and is such an honest horse.”
The day’s early national classes included a dominant display by Breen as he set the tone for his speed derby triumph.
Breen took first and second in the Beethoven Seven- and Eight-Year-Old Championship with Zarnita and Cherubini Z respectively.