Equestrian Sport: William Fox-Pitt realised a life-long ambition when finally winning the Mitsubishi Motors trophy at Badminton yesterday with the Irish-owned Tamarillo.
Fox-Pitt, second in 2002, was denied the chance of going for the top with Mary Guinness' home-bred Anglo-Arab last year when the gelding was found to be lame on cross-country morning, but the British rider was determined to make it third time lucky with the now 12-year-old.
Fox-Pitt, who has now secured his place on the British team for Athens, was tempted not to even start the 2000 Blarney Castle-winner Tamarillo across country on Saturday after heavy rain had left the footing treacherous. His first runner, the Irish-bred Moon Man, had run out of steam three fences from the finish and it was only when Fox-Pitt heard that the time on the steeplechase had been extended that he made the decision to run Tamarillo.
Second last out on the course, Fox-Pitt produced a foot-perfect tour of the 32-fence track and, with 21.6 to add on the clock, moved ahead of the field with only the overnight leader, Andrew Nicholson, left waiting in the startbox.
The New Zealander, who had also had an earlier spin round the track, set off with great intentions on Lord Killinghurst, but the 13-year-old tired dramatically towards the end of the course and, with the addition of 28.4 for time, slid to second.
In a dramatic, spill-filled day, numerous horses and riders hit the deck, including Virginia McGrath, who fell twice to end her bid for one of the coveted Armada dishes for five completions. Sherelle Duke also fell, ending up in the water when the talented LA Temple Bar hit the jetty in the Lake, ejecting his jockey in an otherwise faultless round.
Eric Smiley had an early hiccup when Macloud ran out of room at the Little Badminton drop for an expensive 20 penalties, before going on to complete without further penalty, but Becky George - best of the Irish after dressage - provided a huge morale boost when recording a superb clear with Wee Hot Toddy to move into 24th overnight.
George's fortunes took a desperate nose dive yesterday morning, however, when the gelding was held over and then failed the final horse inspection to eliminate him from the competition and wipe out George's hopes of a place on the Olympic squad.
With just two Irish left in the running, Sherelle Duke rejuvenated flagging fortunes with a stunning show jumping clear - one of only five in the whole day - but could move no higher than 48th. Eric Smiley and Macloud hit just one for 29th to garner Smiley an Armada dish, but there were bigger prizes to be fought out at the top end and it was Fox-Pitt who took the £40,000 winner's cheque from Andrew Nicholson, despite hitting two fences in the final decider.
