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Brash ups the ante as Hello Forever sparkles at Al Shaqab Arena

DOHA: Show jumping icon Scott Brash of Britain yesterday issued a warning to his rivals by guiding Hello Forever to an emphatic win on the penultimate day of the season's final event of the 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour.

 Brash, who will be one of three riders eyeing the world title at Al Shaqab Arena today, produced a sublime run with trusted ally Hello Forever to nail victory in the 1.50/1.55m class.

Hello Forever clocked a time of 44.78 seconds giving a convincing win to Brash in the jump-off.

Sweden's Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, astride Clarimo ASK, sealed the second spot in a time of 45.42secs.

Balermo, ridden by Marco Kutscher of Germany, finished the hotly contested event in third spot. Balermo clocked a time of 46.85secs.

Italy's Francesco Franco guided Banca Popolare Bari Cassandra to fourth spot (48.78secs) while Colombian Carlos Lopez completed the top five with Prince de la Mare (43.24secs).

Brash, who last year became the first rider ever to win three LGCT Grands Prix in the same season, yesterday picked up the top prize of Euros 50,490 while Bengtsson walked off with Euros 30,600.

Third-placed Kutscher got richer by Euros 22,950.

Brash was pleased with the performance of Hello Forever, who will give way to London Games gold medal horse Hello Sanctos for today's main event.

"I am really chuffed with his performance," Brash said. "I keep thinking of him what he will do next year and he keeps showing such performances," the Briton added.

"He's got that little bit of cheekiness about him. He's spooky about certain things. But he has been very good. And hopefully he is going to be an even better horse next year," Brash, 29, said.

"He's a winner and goes real fast as he did in the jump-off," Brash said. "He's very competitive and that's a great feeling to have," Brash, who won the Team Gold at the Olympic Games in London, said.

When asked about Hello Sanctos' run today, Brash said: "He's feeling good. He had a day off today. I will try my best tomorrow (today)."

"You just have to do your job," Brash said when asked about feeling the pressure ahead of today's season finale. "You should just focus on your horse and about the event."

Earlier, Qatar's Hamad Nasser Al Qadi continued with his fine form, guiding to top honours in the 1.20/1.20m class at Al Shaqab Arena. Al Qadi astride Azucar, clocked a time of 34.60 seconds.

Salman Mohammed Al Emadi powered to the second place with Lucky Lady, finishing in a time of 35.73secs.

Fahad Abdulaziz Al Eid paired up with Unlimited to emerge third best in the against the clock class in a time of 36.16secs.

In the 1.40m class, Faleh Suwead Al Ajami produced a neat run with Come Soon to take the honours in a time of 33.81secs.

Vivaldi K, ridden by Mubarak Yousaf Al Rumahi, finished second (34.52secs) while Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri, who was astride Beyonce, clinched the third spot (37.81secs).

ENDS

Results: Read under as rider, horse and time.

Doha 2015 Invitational 1.20/1.25m
Table A: Against the Clock with Jump-Off

Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, Azucar, 34.60secs
Salman Mohammed A S Al Emadi, Lucky Lady, 35.73
Fahad Abdulaziz Al Eid, Unlimited, 36.16
Abdulrahman Al Nassar, Cassander van het Bremhof, 37.39
Awad Al Qahtani, Santos, 38.73

Doha 2015 Invitational 1.40m
Table A: Against the Clock with Jump-Off

Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, Come Soon, 33.81 secs
Mubarak Yousuf A S Al Rumaihi, Vivaldi K, 34.52
Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri, Beyonce, 37.81
Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, St. Lucia, 66.89
Saoud Nasser H.M Al Kubaisi, Apple Bee, 68.37

Class 03: Doha 2015 CSI5* 1.50/1.55m
Table A: Against the Clock with Jump-Off

Scott Brash, Hello Forever, 44.78 seconds
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Clarimo ASK, 45.42
Marco Kutscher, Balermo, 46.85
Francesco Franco, Banca Popolare Bari Cassandra, 48.78
Carlos Lopez, Prince de la Mare, 43.24
Gregory Wathelet, Egano van het Slogenhof, 43.38
Khalid Mohammed A S Al Emadi, Tamira IV, 45.43
Ramzy Al Duhami, Bayard van de Villa Theresia, 46.57
Ondrej Zvara, Cento Lano, 48.17
John Whitaker, Ornellaia, 48.15
Lauren Hough, Royalty Des Isles, eliminated
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Fibonacci 17, retired