Rose doubles her chances by taking first and third at Blue Chip qualifier

Rose Neave stamped her authority on the Tri-Zone Airlite Star qualifier at the Grange Equestrian Centre, taking the top ticket on Oscar IV and secured the third-placed qualification with Clockwork Orange V.

"It was a good day at the office," said Bristol-based Rose, who is from Ilminster, Somerset.

Thirty-seven starters set out in their quest for one of the eight tickets on offer to the Blue Chip Championships being held at Hartpury College in April.

Rose headed the field on her 16.2hh son of Ircolando Oscar IV at the Okehampton-based venue, and doubled her chances at the championships on her 13-year-old chestnut gelding Clockwork Orange V.

In 2009, Rose recorded a cracking win in the discovery championships with Clockwork Orange V and the combination is sure to enter the start list as one of the favourites.

Catherine Mills clinched the second-placed qualification on her own Greylands Independent Trader, who showed her prowess against the clock with a win in the warm-up.

"I've had Gwen for nine years and we know each other well," said Catherine, who lives at Exeter where she is training to be a chartered accountant.

"I couldn't compete and hold down a full-time job without the support I receive from my parents. Gwen lives at home in Bideford with my parents who keep her fit for me and come to every show. I'm also grateful to my longstanding trainer, Sally Jobson Scott."

Liane Harris increased her Blue Chip tally collecting a duo of tickets on Bootylicious and Petra Pinkhurst.

The Crediton-based rider, who runs her own training, schooling and breaking yard, is looking forward to two finals on her eight-year-old mare Petra Pinkhurst, having won the Blue Chip Karma Performance qualifier at this venue earlier in the season.

"I've been determined to qualify for as many Blue Chip finals as possible," said Liane, who bought her 15.2hh daughter of Stakkato from Adam Cove of the Sussex-based Pro-Am Sports Horses.

Remaining tickets went to Emma May (Olympe De Belliere); Jenny Spiller (Jewel Aspect) and James Johnson (Bonito VI).

Results: British Novice.- 1, (Fairways Fantasy) Michelle Smith; 2, Baldhu High Tide (Lizzie Luxton); 3, Franklyns Ross (Victoria Mills). 95cm open.- 1, Apolon (Kaylie Perring); 2, Lanhedrk Downs Carizma (Caroline Cox-Williams); 3, Fairways Fantasy (M Smith). Discovery.- 1, Blizzard IV (Z Reddan); 2, Hendaule Royal Mint (Michael Tuff); 3, Broomford Barnaby (David Reddan). 1.05m.- 1, Greylands Independent Trader (Catherine Mills); 2, Finn McCool IV (Nancy Hutchins); 3, Wadonna (M Hall). Star championship qualifier.- 1, Oscar (Rose Neave); 2, Greylands Independent Trader (Catherine Mills); 3, Clockwork Orange V (Rose Neave). Foxhunter/1.20m.- 1, Chicago III (Claire Jacobson); 2, Rally Villers (Erica Oldham); 3, Bonito VI (James Johnson). British novice.- 1, Shogoon IV (Nandini McCulloch); 2, Diamond Rocks (K Soper); 3, Willsworthy (Sophia Randall). 95cm.- 1, C'est La Vie (Rachael Aitken); 2, Harrykiro (Debbie Lane); 3, Bean & Gone (Gemma Colebrook-Clark). Discovery.- 1, Casino Boy (Rachael Aitken); 2, Fiveberry (Yann Demirdjian); 3, Carin (Tim Cheffings). 1.05m.- 1, Harrykiro (Debbie Lane); 2, Tequila BB (Charlotte Goord); 3, Radical Choice (Claire Rushworth). Newcomers/1.10m.- 1, Rally Villers (Erica Oldham); 2, Expert (Erica Oldham); 3, All Star (Justin Tuff). Foxhunter/1.20m.- 1, F Vivace SZ (Z Reddan); 2, Expert (Erica Oldham); 3, Cruise King (Claire Rushworth).