Just six combinations emerged faultless to compete over the raised and shortened course and surprisingly, two leading combinations in the league, Jessica Burke with Vitesse and Cormac Hanley with Captains Magic Touch, did not make it to the jump-off. David Neary was misfortunate to clock up one time fault with Piano Pal and was also denied access to the next round.

Gabriel Slattery and Lismoyle Simba were first to jump but, with two fences down, were out of contention. They were followed by Cormac Hanley and Captain Caruso, who took the initial lead after jumping clear in 47.97 seconds.