Zanotelli trumps Smolders again

MarlonModolo Zanotelli and his long-striding horse Extra van Essene clinchedtheir second win of the week after the pair won the feature class ofyesterday’s Global Champions Tour.Under the lights at themagnificent Al Shaqab arena, Zanotelli and his 13-year-old gelding Extravan Essene made it two in a row clinching the CSI5* 1.45/1.50m, to gowith Thursday’s win in the 1.45 two-phase competition.The pair onceagain pushed the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and Zinius to secondpalce, who had also finished runner-up the previous day. Lauren Hough ofUSA and the 14-year-old Waterford, took third spot.Zanotelli wasthe last to go in the 11-strong jump-off, who made the cut from 40-riderfield. The Brazilian had a mountain to climb after the 2017 GCT overallchampion Smolders had thrown down the gauntlet with a 50.75secs roundwith his 13-year-old gelding Zinius.But Zanotelli was immaculatewith his jump as Extra van Essene seemed to have taken the liking to theAl Shaqab arena, clearing the hurdles with ease. The winning time was50.42secs, just .033secs better than Smolders, who had a wry smile afterbeing pipped for the second time in two nights by Zanotelli.“Thehorse is jumping amazingly. He’s fantastic and so careful, and he canreally gallop. He makes my life easier!,” said Zanotelli, who pumped hisfist repeatedly in delight after the triumph.“Harrie (Smolders) isone of the fastest riders in the world – to see him go was a chance forme to watch, and then I just hoped for the best,” added the 29-year-old.Qatar’s Olympic rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani had a disappointing night, finishing 39th with Armstrong van de Kapel.Thebig one – CSI5* 1.60m Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha will beheld tonight, with the feature class carrying a total prize money of€400,000. Despite Smolders’ title triumph, the riders are set for acaptivating battle for the overall ranking places in the last stop ofGCT season.Only 15 points split the second to sixth-placed rider.Italy’s de Luca is currently in second place on 260 points just threeahead of Germany’s Christian Ahlmann. Italian Alberto Zorzi is twopoints away on 255 points, while Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten andtwo-time GCT champion Scott Brash of Britain are on 247 and 245 pointsrespectively.GCL set for thrilling finale todayMeanwhile,the second season of the Global Champions League team event is set for anail-biting finish today. With just 17 points difference between theHamburg Diamonds  and defending GCL Champions Valkenswaard United, thebattle for the overall League title has reached a new intensity.OnThursday, the big guns came out in full force for the first round of theGCL at Al Shaqab, with Mexico Amigos taking pole but there was highdrama in the battle between championship contenders Diamonds and United.Settingup an unmissable finale to the GCL season, both the Diamonds and Unitedpulled out all the stops to keep their title dreams alive. United riderBertram Allen - who teamed up with Alberto Zorzi in Thursday night’sfirst round said: “We’re delighted with our horses’ performance todayand knew we had to go double clear to be in with a chance. The Diamondsare strong but for sure we’ll be fighting until the end.”Thursdaynight’s competition hinged on clear rounds and three teams produceddouble clears under the lights at Al Shaqab. Mexico Amigos lead the wayinto today’s finale as the fastest of the faultless trio, with the ParisPanthers and defending champions Valkenswaard United heading the packof 18 teams.“We are in the best position,” said Henrik von Eckermannof the Mexico Amigos after their pole position. “Both horses jumpedreally well. If we win, we are third (in the overall championship) sothat is what we are trying for.” His teammate Evelina Tovek added: “I’mreally happy to produce a clear round for the team.”Coming in to thefinal leg, it was the Hamburg Diamonds who held the best cards and justneed to finish in the top eight today to claim the title. However, asurprise nine-fault total puts them in 11th place with a fight on theirhands if they are to soar ahead of their rivals United to be crowned GCLchampions of 2017.Bassem Hassan Mohamed for the host team DohaFursan Qatar, who were sitting seventh in the overall championship,boosted his team’s chances with a clear on the scopey Gunder afterSheikh Ali’s six-fault round on First Devision. They sit one ahead ofthe Lions in ninth.ResultsClass CSI5* 1.45/1.50m (Table A: Against the Clock with Jump-Off)1. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (Brazil) Horse: Extra van Essene; Time: 50.42secs. Prize money: €30,3602. Harrie Smolders (the Netherlands); Zinius; 50.75secs; €18,4003. Lauren Hough (USA); Waterford; 52.22secs; €13,800Today’s schedule9am: Hathab National Class 1.20/1.30m Two Phase (QR25,000)11:30am: Hathab National Class 1.30/1.40m Two Phase (QR35,000)2pm CSI5* 1.55/1.60m Global Champions League Final (€160,000 to individual class winner + €200,000 to team winner)6pm CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha (€400,000)