But from the start of the 2001 campaign this event has been hair-splittingly close, and again excuses were not being sought.The British four are in a new seating order and they will clearly have to do something about the first 500 metres of their race strategy. Winning pairs races is no longer a foregone conclusion for the British Olympians.The British coxless four's third place was also a disappointment, and gives their main rivals, the Germans, a 2-0 advantage after the first regatta of the season. They have yet to emerge on the international scene this year, and have been beaten at least once back home in Melbourne. Pinsent's assessment of "not a particularly good day at the office" said it all, and he did not reach for excuses, such as a new boat only recently launched or new oars acquired after the old ones had been damaged.It was the Australians Drew Ginn and James Tomkins who first undid Cracknell and Pinsent when they crushed them in the final round of last year's World Cup. Last year's world silver medallists, Ramon di Clemente and Donovan Cech of South Africa, came fourth.

They ended last year with a world's best time win at the world championships, and started in Milan by winning their heat and semi-final.But they were beaten in the final by two crews whom they had beaten in the semi, the 2002 world bronze medallists Niksa and Sinisa Skelin, of Croatia, and the Italian pair Giussepe de Vita and Dario Lari. These two always like to start a new season where they left off, at the front. But the veterinary student put down a marker for the lightweight double scull, which is.Later, Tanner's smile evaporated after the relatively poor performance of James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent in the pairs. A pity, then, that she earned no World Cup points for Great Britain because her event is not an Olympic one. When the first final of the first round of the World Cup got under way on Saturday, the single sculler Jo Hammond put a smile on the face of David Tanner, Britain's international rowing manager, as the newest member of the lightweight women's squad became a discovery after barely two minutes when she took the lead in her race. Hammond had never competed in this event before, but went on to hold off a strong challenge from Sinead Jennings of Ireland for the gold medal. Substitues used: M Taylor, J Wallis, G Kirkham, B Middleton & S Mason.Ireland: N Henderson; P Brown, D Smyth, E Lutton, C Jackson; M Raphael, G Shaw, M Irwin; J Sherriff, G Elliot, M Irwin Substitutes used: J Black, S Butler, D Eakins, N Buttimer.. Garrard was named man of the series.England: J Ebsworth; B Hawes, B Garrard; J Goudie, J Peckett, S Cordon; M Jones, M Johnson, D Mathews, R Moore, D Hall.

Six minutes later, at England's sixth penalty corner attempt, Mathews finally got the ball past Henderson.Despite a late Irish rally when goalkeeper Simon Mason made a couple of good saves and the England captain Brett Garrard saved a corner shot on the goal line, England held firm. However, England were in control and Danny Hall, who scored his 50th international goal on Saturday, pounced again at the top of the circle to score a fine reverse stick goal. Yet they failed to find the back of the net at two early penalty corners when Ireland's captain Nigel Henderson saved well from Dave Mathews. They also took advantage of the Irish being reduced to 10 men following the temporary suspension of Chris Jackson. Hamilton said: "The games have been useful for selection purposes with five players now contesting the last two places." This will be for the Champions Challenge in Randburg in July.Yesterday, after a first half stalemate, England returned from the interval keen to step up the pace. I think it proved that we were fitter and that we had a good framework to win with so many absentees." England went into the weekend seven players short having released four Reading players prior to their club's European Club Championship in Brussels next weekend and then seeing three players, all first choice starters, injured ­ Craig Parnham, Guy Fordham and Andrew West.

England team leader Mike Hamilton said: "It was a bitty game but you expect that when it is the third match between sides on successive days. The first game on Friday evening finished 2-2, with England winning 2-1 on Saturday. England won the Torquil Clark Test series against Ireland here yesterday when they won the third game 2-0 to take the series 2-0. "She is definitely up to that class and she is a very good filly but she is very hot - a bit of a Moulin Rouge."British runners may not have been represented in the feature contest, but they did manage a one-two in the Listed Prix La Moscowa as the Peter Harris-trained Barathea Blazer caught John Gosden's Windermere on the post.CHANTILLYGoing: GoodPRIX LA MOSCOWA: 1 BARATHEA BLAZER (C Soumillon); 2 Windermere 3 Miraculous 6 ran (P Harris) Tote: £6.20; £2.10, £1.30 CSF: £14.50 NR: Generic.PRIX DU JOCKEY-CLUB: 1 DALAKHANI (C Soumillon) 4-11 fav; 2 Super Celebre 7-2; 3 Coroner 20-1 7 ran 2, 3 (A De Royer Dupre) Tote: £1.40; £1.10, £1.20 Exacta: £2.08 CSF: £2.40 Winner coupled with Diyapour.. It was a first Group One success for the winning rider, Christophe Lemaire, who burst into tears with the emotion of the occasion as he returned to weigh in.It was about the only water seen on a scorchingly hot afternoon, where the bright sunshine scotched fears that the ground might have been over-watered.Vespone has the option of heading to Royal Ascot next month but connections favour the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in three weeks' time as the most likely target.Royal Ascot, however, could be the aim for Maiden Tower, who gave Dettori his 300th Group-race success in the Prix de Sandringham. Owned by a syndicate of three Norwegian businessmen, the winner is one of four horses they have in training at present with Nicolas Clement.Vespone handled the conditions well and stuck on gamely to beat Prince Kirk and Dettori by three lengths with the favourite, Tashkandi, third. Always he is better and better."Super Celebre, the runner-up, is now set to be rested before returning for the Prix Niel, a traditional trial for the Arc at Longchamp in October.Andr?abre's well-touted colt Papineau found the quick going against him, Frankie Dettori reported after he had trailed home well beaten, although the Italian had enjoyed better luck earlier on in the afternoon.Tears were flowing after the conclusion of the other Group One race on the card, the Prix Jean Prat, although not from backers of the 2.8-1 winner Vespone.