Beecher fails to read script to deny Funnell

And 29-year-old Beecher did it the hard way, posting a clear round from the number one draw on Loughnatousa W B before repeating that feat to deny Funnell and Dorada jump-off glory.

Beecher’s £35,000 victory made him the first Irish Derby winner since 2003 and thwarted Funnell’s bid for a fourth triumph in an event that is effectively showjumping’s Grand National.

Funnell, husband of top event rider Pippa Funnell, won three times on Cortaflex Mondriaan, his Derby superstar that was formally retired in an emotional ceremony before last year’s event.

Had he completed a quartet, then Funnell would have taken his place alongside Eddie Macken, Harvey Smith, John Whitaker and Michael Whitaker in Hickstead’s hall of fame.

But Beecher had clearly not read the script, as his jump-off time of 93.07 seconds set Funnell a demanding task which ended when he had the third fence down and then retired.

Funnell collected £21,000 for his efforts, while six riders shared third place on four faults – Matthias Granzow, Steven Whitaker, Nick Motmans, Guy Williams, David O’Brien and Trevor Breen.

Whitaker, 2010 Derby champion Williams, O’Brien and Breen all saw their hopes sunk at the water jump, although the revered Derby Bank and Devils Dyke also claimed their familiar share of victims.

Beecher, though, was not to be denied, displaying admirable skill and composure on his 13-year-old gelding.

“Being first to go didn’t make that much difference, really,” said Waterford-based Beecher.

“You know the route and you know your plan, and I just took it as I saw it out there.

“He jumped fantastic in the Derby here last year, and he impressed in the Hamburg Derby last month, so I felt he was set up well for this weekend.

“Words are not strong enough to explain the feeling of winning the Hickstead Derby.”

While the Derby took centre-stage on home soil today, four British Olympic showjumping hopefuls contested the Longines Rotterdam Grand Prix in Holland.

Great Britain team chief Rob Hoekstra and his fellow selector Di Lampard are currently finalising their four-strong team for London. Nick Skelton, Ben Maher and Scott Brash, who was 13th in Rotterdam, are widely expected to fill three of the places, with riders like Tina Fletcher, Peter Charles and John Whitaker after the other spot.