"The Bit - Straight from the horse's mouth"
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Day two has seen two phenomenal Kiwi's take the top two podium places ahead of Saturday's cross country.  Sir Mark Todd is no stranger to the overnight lead but can we see him maintaining that grip on the Burghley trophy? No we can't.

Captain Mark Phillips has hinted towards a thought that no one will make the time across the country this weekend, and with the dressage multiplier gone the scores are more tightly bunched than ever.

Mark Todd's, field leader, Kiltubrid Rhapsody hasn't made the time cross-country since his young horse 2* in 2018.  They picked up a 20 penalties in Pau last year, and added 10 time penalties at Badminton.  

Tim Price isn't exactly a meek and mild cross-country rider but the 15-year-old Ringwood Sky Boy has had mixed form.  They fell at Rio and Badminton in 2016 and at their Burghley debut in 2014.  The paid have come a very long way since then, including a 4th and a 5th at Burghley, however the fastest they've been is 13 seconds over the optimum.

Oliver Townend is a man in splendid form.  The world number 1 is a baffling omission from Team GBR's WEG line up considering his phenomenal horse power and back to back 4* wins at Burghley 2017 and Lexington 2018.  With three rides in the top 10 after dressage, could we dare to dream of an all Townend podium?  MHS King Joules sits in 3rd on a dressage score of 27.2.  It is hard to think that this is only the horse's 3rd CCI****.  Their previous Burghley visit ended in a retirement on course, where as they completed inside the time at Lexington to finish 7th.  Townend will have his eyes on the prize, but as pathfinder will he be as quick as he could be? 2017 champion Ballagmour Class sits in 5th on 27.9, they finished 1 second over time here last year, so they have previous form but they are far from a sure bet at this stage in the horse's career. Cooley SRS makes up #TeamTownend, sitting in 7th on 29.4, finishing 2nd at Badminton earlier this year with 7.2 time, they are yet to make the optimum time at CCI.  However, Cooley SRS has impressive speed stats at CIC3* level.
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Looking at the rest of the top ten Harry Meade and Away Cruising picked up a personal best in the dressage, but have struggled with their cross-country speed, picking up 17.2 here last year.  However, they did complete within the time at Luhmulen.

Piggy French will be one to watch today.  2nd place here last year with Vanir Kamira they are in fantastic form, if we gloss over their Badminton blip.  3.2 time from 2017, if they can repeat they'll be in with a strong chance.

Bill Levett and Improvise have a mixed 4* form to say the least, and mixed form in general in 2018.  They may get home with sub 10 penalties, but jumping clear on Sunday will be the question.

Everyone loves an underdog. So looking to outside of the top ten.  Alexander Bragg and Zabreb - they were long listed for team GBR for a reason.  They've had some strong finishes and wouldn't be ones to over look.  Andrew Nicholson made Burghley his own for years, 2 horses in the field and 2 chances to make a serious impression on the leaderboard.  Both could move up the rankings.  We know the time is tight but Imogen Murray is snapping at the heels of speed queens Jonelle Price and Izzy Taylor as one of the fastest female riders in the world.  With 100% 4* clear rate and a 14th here last year, swiftly followed by an 11th at Badminton, Ivar Gooden is likely to be the big post-dressage mover.