DUTCH master Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover clinched victory at the last qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage on home ground at ’s-Hertogenbosch last weekend.

Always favourites to take maximum points after their earlier convincing win in the Grand Prix, the pair didn’t disappoint when producing some spectacular work when third-last into the arena.

Runner-up was Germany’s Isabell Werth who nailed a great performance with Don Johnson FRH, and it was an excellent result for the host nation contingent as Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt lined up third ahead of fellow-Dutchman Diederik van Silfhout and Arlando NH in fourth spot.

With last-minute points still up for grabs, Sweden’s Paulinda Friberg took full advantage of one more opportunity to add to her scoreline when posting 76.750 with her black mare, Di Lapponia T This would eventually leave her in eighth place and in overall 11th spot on the series leaderboard - plenty good enough to book her ticket to the final in Las Vegas next month.

Patrick van der Meer posted an impressive 77.750 with Uzzo to take the lead just before Werth set off with Don Johnson who really turned it on as he set a significantly higher target score of 81.650.

Spain’s Morgan Barbancon Mestre didn’t present any real threat when scoring 78.900 with Painted Black, but at 18, this stallion continues to sparkle. And his mark would eventually leave the pair in fifth spot and earn another of those much-sought-after berths in Las Vegas.

However all eyes were on Gal and Glock’s Undercover as they set off with just three left to run, and it was clear from the outset that the Dutchman was not going to have an easy time.

The 45-year-old ace had to call on all his extensive experience to complete a test that swung from brilliant to extremely tense.

Such was the quality of the good work however that the scoreboard showed 84.925 after they left the arena.