Riding the homebred 13-year-old Heritage HHS Fortuna, Hughes landed last Saturday’s 1.45m jump-off when double clear in 31.20 seconds. Of the 25 starters, 11 took on the jump-off course and Hughes’ nearest challenger emerged as Germany’s Jörg Naeve (Cosimax) in 33.57.

Fellow Team Z7 rider Michael Hutchinson slotted into fourth place on Le Roi 10 with a double clear in 36.20. There were only four clears against the clock.