WORCESTERSHIRE'S Leslie Law saw his chances of that elusive Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials title slip away -- in a fashion no-one in the eventing world could have predicted.

The Athens three-day event champion came into the event full of confidence after a fine performance at the four star Rolex Kentucky three-day event in the USA last week, where he finished third on the up-and-coming Coup de Coeur.

He was riding both his Olympic medallists, brothers Shear H20 and Shear L'Eau, at Badminton and they were lying 27th and fourth after dressage respectively.

Law then faced the daunting 31-fence cross-country course which proved as testing as ever with its technicality and huge dimensions .

He set off close to the start on the older of his two 'flying greys' Shear H20. The pair were enjoying a great round until just three fences from home.

Shear H20 stood off the 'bridge' fence that led into The Quarry complex and just could not quite make the spread, toppling over onto his shoulder and suffering elimination for a horse fall.

Undaunted, Law picked himself up for his second ride only for disaster to strike again at fence 13, the Vicarage Vee. Again it was a case of a stretch too far and Shear L'Eau had to reach to make the bank on landing and did not quite get there. He too toppled over, pitching Law out of the saddle for a second bruising fall.

Shear L'Eau looked lame after his fall, but fortunately this proved to be minor and he should be back in action before too long.

"It was just one of those days," said Law.

"I'd had a really good time at Kentucky the week before but that's the ups and downs of this sport.

"I certainly didn't expect to go away from Badminton having had two falls, but at least we are all OK," added Law.

"My horses are a bit stiff and sore but we'll all be back another day."