The Marseillaise sounded for the prize-giving ceremony of Prize No. 2 MAG (two phases class, h 145, €26,200), the second competition of the opening day of the 90th CSIO di Roma Piazza di Siena - Master d'Inzeo.

French rider Julien Epaillard scored victory with Dubai de Soie. The only one to go under 26", he completed the second phase of the course designed by 'chef de piste' Uliano Vezzani in 25.51.

Among the five Italians who finished in the top ten, Francesco Correddu, with Necofix (26.04), and Graziano Tazzi, with Mash Ipel (27.08), completed the podium in second and third position. Massimo Grossato, who just turned 48 today, finished fifth with Cash du Pratel (27.85).

Epaillard, 45, current No. 2 in the FEI ranking, was fresh from his victory with Donatello d'Auge in the 4* Grand Prix in Bourg en Bresse: «I am very happy with this success, as it was my first participation in Piazza di Siena. I had already won five competitions in Rome, but only at the Global Champions Tour, first at the Foro Italico and then at the Circus Maximus. Dubai de Soie produced a good performance, which is also important considering tomorrow's Nations Cup. My horse for Sunday's Grand Prix will instead be Dubai du Cedre».

First podium in his career at Piazza di Siena for 22-year-old Carabiniere Francesco Correddu, Sardinian by birth and Lombard by adoption: «I am super happy. It is a cool start for me... I’m very young and I’ve only competed here once before. It was two years ago, when I was selected for the Small Tour competitions (a sixth and a ninth place for him, also with Necofix).

In the picture, Julien Epaillard © Sassofotografie.it