Equestrian Sport: Cian O'Connor got straight into the driving seat at the German fixture in Frankfurt yesterday when scoring in the opening speed class with the talented mare Zanoubia.

The 26-year-old Meath rider had the mare home and hosed in a time of 51.54 seconds for the win, with compatriot Cameron Hanley just over a second adrift for third place on Night Dancer.

Switzerland's Christina Liebherr, the double silver medallist at this year's European Championships in Italy, divided the two Irish riders with an excellent performance.

Ireland's Jessica Kurten and Billy Twomey are both in action at the British World Cup fixture in Olympia and it was Kurten who drew first blood for the Irish pair, with an eighth place in the Welcome Speed Stakes aboard Laurus.