INKBERROW'S Leslie Law is handily placed on his top ride Shear H2O after the opening dressage phase of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Leslie, 37, has two horses in the great event -- one of just three top four star events held across the World this year. He is in 12th spot on Shear H2O, the grey gelding he rode into third and second places at the last two Badminton events, 16.2 penalties off the leader Pippa Funnell at this stage.

"Shear H2O did a nice test and was lucky to go when the weather wasn't too bad," said Law.

"He's usually pretty consistent in this phase and we were 14th after dressage last year."

Law's second ride, the less experienced Brer Rabbit lies in 43rd spot, out of the 83 world class starters, 24.2 penalties off the top score.

"Brer Rabbit's test was quite good for him -- he struggles with his canter work," said Law. "It was raining when he went in and we'll just have to wait and see how much that affects the going."

It's now all down to the daunting 32-fence cross country course staged later today.