Defender Burghley week is here. The fences are huge, the clock is merciless, and even the favourites can unravel. Burghley is where reputations are made. Nicole Brown is joined by a full house of experts to set the stage for one of the most anticipated five-stars of the season.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo bid to make history. Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent return to settle unfinished business. Harry Meade brings three chances to finally land his first five-star. Add in Tim Price with Vitali, David Doel with Galileo Nieuwmoed, Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue, and a host of international challengers, and you’ve got a Burghley that could produce fireworks in every phase.

Highlights include:

• Why Graffalo could cement his place among the all-time greats
• The challenge of the reversed cross-country track and what it means for stamina
• Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent: redemption or repeat heartbreak?
• Harry Meade’s triple attack and the horse most likely to deliver his first five-star win
• Tim Price and Vitali: brilliance in the dressage, questions on the final day
• The outsiders who could climb their way into history

Guests joining Nicole Brown:

• Catherine Austen — Burghley Press Officer with insider perspective
• Annie Bishop — journalist and host of the US Equestrian Open podcast
• Spike Milligan — equine vet with expert analysis 
• Diarm Byrne — EquiRatings co-founder with the numbers behind the predictions

Want to watch every moment? Subscribe to Burghley TV for exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access throughout the week. And for the latest updates, follow the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Instagram at @burghleyhorsetrials.

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