Both Shane Breen and Galway’s Michael Duffy were among the 11 clears in the 45-starter €300,000 Grand Prix at Valence in France last weekend.

Second to go against the clock Breen and Laith by Lord Z produced a superb double clear in 36.40 seconds, a fast time which held through the next nine contenders.

Michael Duffy’s effort to catch him ended at the very first fence with EFS Top Contender. Breen’s lead lasted through rounds by the likes of John Whitaker, Eric Lamaze, Beezie Madden until the very last to go, Kent Farrington of the USA shaved one second off for the €75,000 win. Breen took €60,000 for second.

Interviewed after the event Breen praised the organisation of this new show, which is set in the beautiful French countryside, and he said he was looking forward to more competition in the same venue this week.

Earlier at the event both he and Michael Duffy scored speed wins. Breen took Saturday night’s 1.50m event on Ipswich van de Wolfsakker ahead of Germany’s Christian Ahlmann. Duffy and Millfield Ultymate won the 1.45m speed under lights on Friday night.

He also had a second on the same horse in Thursday’s two-phase.