Then there were ten - horse racing individual jumping

Ten riders are in with the best chances for medals at Doha 2006 after round A of the individual jumping final at Doha Horse Racing and Equestrian Club on Tuesday. Korea's Song Sang Wuk on Clinton H and Qatar's Ali Yousuf Ahmad Al Rumaihi, riding Nagano, are the pick of the bunch so far and have not touched a rail in the jumping competition.

Big favourite Khaled Al Eid, leader of the Saudi Arabian gold medallist team on Monday and Olympic medallist from Sydney, had two rails down with his horse Alriyadh and will need a lot of luck to make it onto the podium.

Daisuke Fukushima and Toshiki Masui Masui both of Japan rode clear in round A, keeping alive Japanese chances for individual medals after missing out on the team gold for the first time after four Asian Games triumphs.

Joo Jung Hyun of Korea, ninth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, piloted Seven Up safely and kept to the instructions of German team coach Paul Schockemoehle to the last stride.

Mohamad Al Kumaiti, already decorated with team bronze for United Arab Emirates, can bring Almutawakel to his second medal from Doha.

After two clear rounds, Malaysia's Syed Omar Almohdzar and Mohd Qabil Ambak Mahamad Fathil are up with the best. Both won team bronze at 2002 Asian Games in Busan, Korea, and can try to add to their already impressive collection of Asian Games medals, collected over three Games.

Ibrahim Bisharat of Jordan finished clear and, after leaving his best horse in Europe, is combining well with his Games-only ride Contender.

HRH Prince Abdullah Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and mare Saudia had the last fence of the triple combination down and now have to ride with the burden of four faults.

HE Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum of UAE and Kalaska De Semilly had a misunderstanding coming towards the water jump and finished on 22 faults, leaving her without a chance for a second medal after the team bronze. Round B at Doha Racing and Equestrian Club begins at 14:30 on 12 December.

15th Asian Games, Doha 2006