Kent rider Guy Williams landed a notable opening day success with first and second places in the Royal International Two Phase Challenge.

After raising the hopes of owner Andy Beaumont-Hope when he took an early lead on Loro Piana Hamlet, the 32-year-old dashed them later with a fractionally faster round on Skip Two Ramiro, who belongs to Cyril Light of the Brendon Stud at Pyecombe.

Challenging for the third time near the end of the 67-strong field, Williams bettered his earlier time by a fraction and was just fast enough to hold off the bid of former Derby winner John Popely on Touche, who took 3rd place.

Many competitors used the Two Phase Power and Speed as a warm-up for the next four days, with sights set on today's British Grand Prix, tomorrow's Samsung Super League Nations Cup and Sunday's Queen Elizabeth II and King George V Gold Cups.

Michael Whitaker, one of Britain's Nations Cup prospects, was delighted with his round on Fleur II, a mare he last rode in 1999 before she was sold. Although they finished with four faults, Whitaker said: "We had a few little misunderstandings but she felt good and I am sure she will come right soon."

Britain's team manager Derek Ricketts will not risk Fleur in the Nations Cup quartet, but could be planning to try her out in a team in early August.

The other riders under consideration are Nick Skelton on Arko III, Robert Smith on Marius Claudius, Scott Smith on Cabri D'Elle and Richard Davenport on Luc.