OLYMPIC gold medallist Oliver Townend will spearhead a strong British challenge when the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials return after a three-year absence this weekend.

The Dudleston Heath-based world number one, who won Burghley in 2009 and 2017, has two horses entered.

And the enviable depth of his current riding resources is underlined by Tokyo Games mount Ballaghmor Class not being among that duo.

Ballaghmor Class is being prepared for the World Championship in Italy from September 15-18, when Britain will target back-to-back world team crowns a year after securing Olympic gold.

Townend takes Swallow Springs and Tregilder to Burghley, which has not run since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic, while his Tokyo gold medal-winning team-mate and individual silver medal winner Tom McEwen rides CHF Cooliser.

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Defending Burghley champion Pippa Funnell lines up with Billy Walk On and Majas Hope, with other leading contenders for a £100,000 top prize including Piggy March (Vanir Kamira), Kitty King (Vendredi Biats), Ros Canter (Pencos Crown Jewel) and Sarah Bullimore (Corouet).

Former world champion Zara Tindall has Class Affair entered at the Lincolnshire venue, and five-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt on Oratorio II is another combination warranting close attention.

A total prize fund of more than £320,000 is the largest in Burghley’s 61-year history.

“Everyone here understands the cost and time it takes to produce a five-star horse,” Burghley event director Martyn Johnson said.

“And the increased prize money reflects the board’s commitment to ensure that Land Rover Burghley continues to be at the pinnacle of our sport.”

The dressage phase takes place on Thursday and Friday, followed by cross-country and then Sunday’s showjumping finale.