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.