Sam Hutton on fine form at Blue Chip Championships

An on-form Sam Hutton clinched first and third in the Blue Chip Pro A&B challenge at the Blue Chip Championships on day two riding Astral 57 and new acquisition Lancelot.

Sam’s early lead on Lancelot was bettered by Tim Davies and Salome II, but he returned to take the class with the consistent Astral.

“He’s so scopey I can turn tight to doubles and oxers,” said Sam, who now has two chances to secure the Andrews £1,000 bonus. This bonus prize is offered to the top three of the A&B challenge if they go on to win the Blue Chip grand prix.

Jay Halim substituted eventing for showjumping when netting the Blue Chip Karma performance with Lauren Cranham’s multi-disciplined Adagio III. Drawn favourably last in the 24-strong jump-off, Jay eased fractionally ahead of early leader Emma Sargeant’s time with Lanbado Supreme.

“I’m an eventer — that’s why I can go so fast,” he said.

Norman Proffitt scored a popular win in the Devoucoux star championship with Audrey Evans’s Patent. Responding to vocal encouragement from the spectators, Norman angled the final vertical at a gallop to take the 52-horse jump-off in the latter stages.

“If I think turn, he does it,” said Norman, who beat long-time leader Danielle Joliffe’s standard-setter on Erasmus VD Heffinck.

Blue Chip debutante Sophie Holliday took the Joshua Jones UK discovery championship with breath-taking turns on Westerhofs Limit.

“I started fast and got some smooth turns,” said Cambridge-based Sophie, 16, who claimed the 40-strong jump-off by two sec.

Results

Joshua Jones UK discovery ch. – 1, Westerhofs Limit (S Holliday); 2, Question D’Amour (C de Verteuil); 3, Guhne Van Het Keizershof (J Mincher). Devoucoux star ch. – 1, Patent (N Proffitt); 2, Erasmus VD Heffinck (D Joliffe); 3, Valkyra (E Portas). Blue Chip Karma performance ch. – 1, Adagio III (J Halim); 2, Lanbado Supreme (E Sargeant); 3, Cosmic Neo (E-J Slater). Blue Chip A&B challenge trophy. – 1 & 3, Astral 57 & Lancelot (S Hutton); 2, Salome II (T Davies). Devoucoux 1.20m. – 1, Pedro VIII (H Webster); 2, Zig Zag (S Collin); 3, Casimir II (E-J Slater). Blue Chip nov winter classic qual. – 1, Flair VI (N Baird); 2, Bobby VI (A Barnes); 3, Sienna’s Supreme (S Mogensen). Joshua Jones UK 1.20m. – 1, Tino II (V Bevan); 2, Ursula (C Freeman); 3, Fritz Luke (J Helm). Halsall Electrical 1.25m qual. – 1, Ceasar Z II (L Williams); 2, Willem De Lux (S Collin); 3, Sylvana II (T Mallin). Nedz Bed 1.15m winter classic qual. – 1, Willow III (J Wickham); 2, Uttah Van Het Indihof (E-J Slater); 3, Zeestar (B Austin).

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