Course designer Nigel Jess set a testing track for 140 starters, with 35 delivering clear rounds. With the fences raised for the second round, a total of 14 combinations maintained clean sheets to battle it out in the jump-off.

With the pressure on, just two combinations delivered clear rounds and six combinations finishing on four-faults. Taking the honours on this occasion was Warrington Equestrian-based Maria Lanigan aboard Countess Rock. Second to go in the AA category, Lanigan lodged an impressive clear in 40.94 seconds to secure her place in Dublin for the second year in a row. Countess Rock also qualified in 2011 with Maria’s sister Laura.

“The mare is 15 years old and she has been very consistent for both myself and my sister,” said Lanigan. “She has really been on form and I couldn’t fault her in anything. I will get a few more shows in before the RDS and hopefully I can improve on last year’s performance. I am really looking forward to it.”

Alice Brennan’s decision to take a more cautious approach with Killygarvin Playboy Lux paid dividends as she crossed the line with nothing to add in 51.18 for second place. Formerly campaigned by Damien Griffin in the ISH studbook classes, the eight-year-old Lux gelding will be making his first appearance in Dublin.

Niamh Egan remained inside the 50-second barrier with her own Hallo Belle, but it came at a price as she faulted once. A fast time of 45.04 was enough however to secure her third place in the line-up. Fourth place went to Victoria Loane and Finders Keepers 2, a former Grand Prix mount for Annemarie Fitzpatrick, the pair incurring four faults in 47.00.

Kilkenny’s Gemma Drennan and God’s Gift slotted into fifth place when crossing the line in 48.46 with four faults and sixth place went to Katie Frazer and Keylogues Gold, also on four faults and a time of 48.62. Laura Flynn and Joes Charm was the next fastest of the four-faulters in 49.48 for seventh, ahead of Jennifer Kavanagh and Gizippie, who clocked in at 53.51.