Speedy Govoni comes up short in Cannes

Italian superstar Gianni Govoni lived up his nickname of “Speedy Govoni“ but could not take first place in the speed class over a 1.40 track at the Jumping de Cannes.The French leg of the Global Champions Tour began as usual with the speed class over a 1.40 metre hurdles. Riding his mare Love Affair, Govoni shaved nearly three seconds off Jessica Kurten’s time of 60.33 – and his time of 57.81 had the crowd on their feet in raptures.However, the Brazilian rider Alvaro de Miranda on his mare AD Peanuts jumped the perfect round in 56.84 to outdo Govoni and claim the 6,400 Euro prize money.Daniel Deusser brought Valencia winner Vonka home in third in a time of 58.14 while the wild card entry Oliver Gullion steered Kikuyu di Coty, to a time of 59.35 and fourth.In the evening event, the Prix E.Leclerc over 1.50m hurdles was won by Britain’s Michael Whitaker on Insult tech Portofino.