QUICK RESULT

  1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) - Incredible (Clinton)
  2. Giulia Martinengo Marquet (ITA) - Delta Del'Isle (Tibet Tame)
  3. Denis Lynch (IRL) - Cordial (Casall)
  4. Bertram Allen (IRL) - Caprisco (Cole Porter)
  5. Mclain Ward (USA) - Contagious (Contagio)

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First at the start was Giulia Martinengo Marquet in the saddle of Delta de l'Isle. To the crowd, the Italian rider immediately dared to take the necessary risk and set the bar high with a clear ride with the time to beat at 35.26s. 

Kevin Staut (FRA) made an early jumping mistake with Beau de Laubry Z by chasing Marquet's time. A smooth time of 34,... showed that it could well be faster, but could it be clear? 

Bertram Allen (IRL) got to go first in front of a home crowd with Caprisco. In the meantime, the duo could not dip below the time to beat but with 37.28s on the clock, they did stay clear.

A compatriot immediately followed in the arena: Daniel Coyle (IRL) with Incredible. The time improved to 34.91s! 

Harrie Smolders (NED) and Mr. Tac were just a bit slower than their predecessors in the meantime and in the double a fault went to the ground. The rest of the obstacles remained intact and exactly 36.00s was recorded for Smolders.

Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Nixon van't Meulenhof, a rather popular sire among the young horses as proved in Gèsves, were the next for whom the bell sounded. For them, the third obstacle went against them, Rolex's steep was jumped a little too flat by the stallion. They came in at 39.72s and four penalties.

Daniel Deusser (GER) and Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek) improved the time to 34.06s but were also charged with a jumping fault.

Michael Pender (IRL) and HHS Cornetta then to the start. On the home stretch, the pair opened quietly but forward and made up time as the course progressed. However, the penultimate hurdle left them in error, concluding with 35.27s and four penalties. 

Only three more clear rounds so far, with three more combinations at the start. Francis Derwin (IRL) and Flexi K (Flex a Bill) immediately took a forward pace which resulted in an early jumping fault on the second obstacle. It stayed there, however, with the time at 35.57s. 

Mclain Ward (USA) and Contagious saw their goal within reach and looked like they were going to bring it in but a jumping fault on the last oxer sent them home with four penalties. Fastest time so far, though, with 33.26s on the clock. 

Last in the ring: Denis Lynch (IRL) and Cordial for Ireland! Only they could still snatch the victory, which would surely remain on home soil already. The goal appeared to be a clear ride for them with still some risk towards the last line when Lynch realized that he was still clear and thus still had a chance.