Riding Persimmon, the horse on whom she won the CCI** at the venue last year, King earned a score of 40.4, less than a mark ahead of compatriot Izzy Taylor aboard Allercombe Ellie (41.0).

Former Badminton winning rider Paul Tapner and Indian Mill head the Australian challenge in third place on 42.2, while as the best of the seven Irish runners, Sarah Ennis fills a competitive seventh spot with her Chatsworth victor Stellor Rebound.