LAST into the arena on Friday evening after a thrilling Nations Cup competition, the 128cm finalists brought the Main Arena to an exciting finish for the day.

In total, 18 combinations battled it out for the coveted title and from those, seven booked their place in the Killian Clarke jump-off. The jump-off course saw the introduction of two new fences. Second to go, spectators didn’t have to wait long for the winning round as Senan Reape and Mickybo took every chance.

The young Sligo rider just threw caution to the wind as he went between the Longines double and then took every tight line possible to cross the line clear in 32.27 seconds aboard Anita Duffy’s amazing 18-year-old pony, who was winning his third Dublin championship.

Fifth to go, Jack Conlon Gateau and the stallion Blaengwen Kato Star also took the tightest route possible, but despite a gallant attempt, a clear in 34.72 meant they had to settle for second.

Last to go, Lauren Murphy decided to take it steadier with Taggarts Express but four faults at the double saw her finish in third place. Kian Dore and Dooneens Electril faulted at the penultimate and the last in a time of 35.40 for fourth.

Occupying fifth place were Robert Russell and Kilcreene Apollo with 12 faults in 38.57, ahead of Eoin Brennan and Millfield Duke who also picked up 12 faults but in a slower time of 48.94 to finish sixth.