Tops- Alexander back on top of LGCT ladder

Monaco Grand Prix winner Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) finished 4th in the Grand Prix over the weekend moving him up to 2nd place on the leader board with 158 points.

“It’s really close, and there is so much that can happen now. I really didn’t think I would be back at the top after the result from today - my horse had a really unlucky fault, but jumped fantastic. He jumped very good in the second round and I did the best I could. There is a long way still to go. I wasn’t calculating points, but I was sure Scott was in the lead, he has been very consistent and has great placings, but we will wait and see. I was surprised there were not more clears in the first round, it didn't look as difficult as it was, it rode very delicate. It is such a great show - everyone loves it. It is one of the best shows we have on the Tour. The ground is amazing and it is a little bit relaxing for the riders” said Edwina in a press conference after the tour.

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Cascais, Estoril was won by World No1 Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Sanctos - the pair won the big class and have now claimed their second LGCT Grand Prix win of the 2014 season. The Grand Prix Silver medal went to Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Status who jumped the only other treble clear, and Bronze to Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star who were the fastest four faults.

The beautiful lush, green arena of Hipódromo Manuel Possolo was once again a stunning backdrop to what proved to be another thrilling round in this year’s 2014 Championship. The buzzing and enthusiastic crowd rode every fence with the riders, cheering and whistling encouragement to every competitor regardless of nationality. The stands were packed for the star class of the show and the atmosphere was charged with the anticipation of a world-class display of show jumping excellence.

The first round saw a range of new and established stars put in strong performances to go through to the second round on zero, every one of them hunting the 40 LGCT points awarded to tonight’s Gold medallist as well as the majority share of €300,000. The first round course was open and sweeping, taking advantage of the stunning, expansive arena. The riders did not consider the course ‘overly big’ but there was no one area where errors were collected as the entire route required care and precision throughout.

Of the 40 starters, twelve made it through with a zero score and six progressed with four faults including Championship leader Edwina Tops-Alexander and last year's victor Henrik von Eckermann (SWE). The second round course was a test of scope and stamina, with wide oxers and demanding distances between the combination fences. Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), who was in with a shot of taking the Championship lead, lowered a rail in the second round placing him in 11th place in the final results of the class but boosting him up the Tour Ranking.