Qatar’s Bassem claims second spot behind Tops-Alexander
DOHA, April 9, 2018 - Qatar's Bassem Mohamed finished second with his 12-year-old gelding Gunder at the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Miami Beach in Florida on Saturday. The Olympic rider finished behind Australia's Edwina Tops-Alexander, who reigned supreme, triggering the prospect of a thrilling contest with current ranking leader Scott Brash for a record third championship title.
The ever-consistent Bassem Mohamed and Gunder put in the first clear of the jump-off, making absolutely sure every rail stayed up. It was a cautious, tactically ridden round that did the job and put him at the head of affairs with only one rider left to jump. But it wasn't pedal to the metal — as that one rider was the formidable Tops-Alexander, who had the advantage of complete intel about the course as the last to jump.
Her round on the 11-year-old Esprit mare California shaved more than three seconds off Bassem's time, handing her victory and €100,000, the lion's share of the class's €300,000 prize-fund. Other than Tops-Alexander, Bassem was the only other rider who pulled off a double clear. He was richer by €40,000. Ireland's Darragh Kenny rounded out the podium after an unlucky fence down with Cassini Z.
The overall LGCT Ranking battle is already an intense affair, with Britain's Brash leading the charge for the 2018 season. Tops-Alexander is the second rider — after Mexico City Grand Prix winner Brash — to qualify for the Super Grand Prix which will take place at the GC Prague Play Offs this December.
Victory was by no means assured for the Australian rider. “I didn't even know until 11am that I was going to ride her today. We all work hard and sometimes is pays off. You have to believe in yourself," said Tops-Alexander, who missed the majority of last year's Tour as she was pregnant and took a break from riding until September 2017.
“I watched some of Bassem's round on the screen (in the warm-up) and I knew he could have gone faster," added Tops-Alexander, who has partnered California since taking over the ride from Egypt's Abdel Said in 2016. “Still, I didn't think I'd won or that I was going that fast and I kept looking at the screen to check."
Meanwhile in the team event, Global Champions League, Sheikh Ali al-Thani and Bassem Mohammed led Doha Fursan Qatar to a creditable sixth place finish in Miami.
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