Donckers seizes lead at Badminton

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Highlights from the cross country

BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS
Dates: 7-10 May Coverage: Watch live on BBC Red Button/online 1100-1700 BST Saturday; BBC Two 1300-1500 BST Sunday

DAY TWO LEADERBOARD:
Karin Donckers/Gazelle de la Brasserie (38.8), Lucy Wiegersma/Shaabrak (39.7), Oliver Townsend/Flint Curtis (40.5), Emily Baldwin/Drivetime (42.3), William Fox-Pitt/Idalgo (42.8), Roberto Rotatori/Della Irham de Vaiges (43.7), Ruth Edge/Mayhem II (43.8), Matthew Wright/If You Want II (44.3), Zara Phillips/Toytown (45.3), Jo May/Faere Vision (46.7)

Belgium's Karin Donckers set the standards on day two of the Badminton Horse Trials, but several British stars are well-placed for a shot at glory.

Donckers leads the way on board Gazelle De La Brasserie, ahead of Lucy Wiegersma (Shaabrak) and Oliver Townend (Flint Curtis) after the dressage.

But eight British riders are in the top 10, including Zara Phillips (Toytown) and William Fox-Pitt (Idalgo).

Saturday sees the cross-country element of eventing come into play.

Phillips and Toytown are in ninth place with a score of 45.3, with the leader on 38.8.

"The course is good, the ground is good. There are plenty of places to make mistakes, but it is a nice flowing course," said Phillips, watched by her England rugby player boyfriend Mike Tindall.

606: DEBATE

Zara Phillips told me she's really disappointed and that a horse of Toytown's quality should be higher up the order. But it's not all over yet...

BBC Sport's Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes

"It's good to be able to run him on Saturday. I am looking forward to it, and so is he."

Fox-Pitt, Badminton winner in 2004, also has his other horse Macchiato in the top 20, and they will launch the four-mile cross country discipline off number one draw.

As for Idalgo's dressage display, Fox-Pitt said: "He's got all the ability in the world.

"I have always believed in him - he is a very talented horse, and one I am very lucky to have."

After the second day of dressage, Saturday's cross country will determine the fate of a number of challengers before the event closes on Sunday with show-jumping.