A brilliant performance from Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and the Ann Thompson-owned gelding Romeo, saw them take the runner-up spot in Sunday’s five-star Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Verona in Italy.

Ninth to go in a 16 horse jump-off, they set a scorching time of 36.06 seconds to take the lead.

Britain’s Scott Brash was the only rider to beat this time and he took victory when last to go with Hello M’lady, sealing the win with a time of 35.55.

Brash collected €47,500 for his victory while Kenny’s runner-up finished netted him €38,000. World number one Steve Guerdat finished in third place with Alamo. County Louth’s Mark McAuley also made it into the jump-off and took 14th place at the finish with Vivaldi du Theil.

Kenny collected 18 points for his runner-up finish and is now in 13th spot on the Longines FEI World Cup European league table.