Just seven days after welcoming his second son, Toby, into the world, Watson delivered a thrilling performance to head the field by over 13 marks. He initially wowed the ground jury to record a score of 42.3, and followed that by recording two immaculate jumping performances in the fastest time of the day.

“I’ve always had faith in this horse,” said Watson of the son of Puissance. “He was really good in all three phases and it’s a massive moment when a horse announces himself on the world stage.”

Only a nine-year-old, the well-related Lukeswell is the ninth foal out of the prolific brood mare Gentle Servant (Kings Servant). He is a full brother to a glut of good performers, including the advanced horses GFG Rambo Man and Harthill Percy, as well as the highly rated Ardagh Highlight.

Camphire has been a lucky venue for Watson, who won the equivalent class with Horseware Bushman back in 2012, and filled second last year. He was keen to acknowledge several people who have contributed to this ongoing success, saying. “I’d especially like to thank Tom McGuiness who bought a half share in the horse, and for trusting me and supporting me.”

Others singled out for praise were dressage trainer Ian Woodhead and also show jumping maestro Ian Fearon. ”Ian Fearon is a genius,” added Watson. “He makes an enormous difference – and not just with this horse, but all my horses.”

None of the 34 runners made the time, but one who had a fair crack was Britain’s Flora Harris. Adding eight penalties to her opening mark (51.0) Harris climbed nine places overnight into second spot, overtaking Australian Olympian Lucinda Fredericks in the process.

“This was our first time at Camphire and our first run at this level,” said the Wiltshire-based rider. “I’m over the moon as he made it all feel very easy. I didn’t realise how fast we had gone, especially as we took the long route at the corners (22).”

Having been unseated at Luhmuhlen the previous week, Fredericks and Flying Finish were content to fill third place. Never in a hurry, they enjoyed a confidence-giving spin to add 16.8 time penalties to their opening score of 43.2.

Watson aside, Irish riders were a little off the pace. Patricia Ryan and Dunrath Eclipse produced a good double clear round to fill sixth, as did Jim Newsam who moved up to ninth place with Magennis. Camilla Speirs looked good in 11th with BT Border Bandit, less than a mark ahead of Felicity Ward and The Illusionist.

In 17th place was WEG bound Clare Abbott and Euro Prince. Making their first run since Badminton back in May, the pair got their wires crossed at a double in the show jumping but rectified their blip the following day when producing a brilliant run in the country.

Although course designer Mike Etherington-Smith had only marginally increased the severity of the cross-country track, it caused far more trouble than last year. The undulating terrain and accuracy demanding questions caught out a third of the runners and four failed to complete.

“It was not intentionally beefed up but we do put a little more into it each year,” he remarked. “We have made it more substantial, but without increasing the technicalities. What’s really important is to develop and educate the horse. It’s part of a bigger picture, and we have the responsibility to produce a course that allows horses to progress.”

Interestingly and cleverly, no one fence caused the problems. Fraser Duffy was unlucky to gain 20 penalties at the downhill complex (15) with Fernhill Revelation, the same fence that marred Dominic Furnell’s otherwise fault-free with Ballycahane Flower Power and caused elimination for British rider Emma Hyslop-Webb. Ginnie Turnbull (Ard Core) and Alex Townsend (Mumbo Jumbo) both called it a day at the preceding ditch and palisade (Pennlands Douglas), while Patricia Ryan (Tullineasky Hi Ho) gained their 20 penalties it at the sunken road (24).

The accuracy demanding Bluegrass brush corners in front of Camphire House (23) also caused isolated errors, catching out Michael O’Toole (Greenfort Endeavour), Jacob Fletcher (Atlantic Domino) and Melanie Ashe with Rathmoylan Flight. Michelle Kenny and Asilomar Independence were the only casualties, when taking a tumble at the TRM Zig Zag (16).