Townend seventh after opening day

Inaugural Rolex Grand Slam winner Pippa Funnell has backed Huddersfield’s Oliver Townend to complete eventing’s £255,000 clean sweep.

Yorkshireman Townend will become only the third rider to achieve it after Funnell and reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung if he wins the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Townend launched his Badminton campaign yesterday with Cooley SRS, posting a dressage score of 25.9 penalties to go seventh overnight.

He rides his current Burghley champion Ballaghmor Class today and is among the main title contenders.

Townend’s British European gold medal-winning colleague Ros Canter and Allstar B lead the way on 23.9 penalties, with Germany’s double Olympic champion Michael Jung in second on La Biosthetique Sam FBW on 24.7 and Japanese challenger Yoshiaki Oiwa third with The Duke of Cavan.

America’s Lauren Kieffer and Veronica is fourth, Funnell and Billy Beware in fifth, and New Zealander Tim Price holds sixth spot on Ringwood Sky Boy with a score of 25.8.

“I think he is in a wonderful situation,” said Funnell, who clinched the Grand Slam 15 years ago.

“He will be riding full of confidence, and I really think he can do it. He has got two serious horses here.

“I would put money on him doing it, or certainly going very close.

“I wouldn’t envy him if he is in the lead going into the last showjumping round on Sunday, with the pressure that brings, but he has got two horses that are well capable of it.”