Riding the 10-year-old Jumping Jack Van De Kalevallei (Kannan), Billy came out on top of a five-strong jump-off, crossing the finish line in a time of 42.26sec. It saw him take the top spot ahead of his compatriot Commandant Geoff Curran and Tempo Manor (Sligo Candy Boy), who were more than a second in arrears on 43.83sec.

It’s quite a new partnership for Billy, who got the ride at the end of last year. “I haven't had him that long, just since December, and he's done nothing but be seriously competitive at all the shows he's been to, so I'm very lucky to have him,” said Twomey, who his originally from Cork but is now based in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

Billy’s horse originally came from the Netherlands, where he was jumping at 1.45m level, but has since progressed up to 1.60m level. “He has all the attributes: he's very powerful and very careful. Although he's a stallion, he's very brave and always wanting to do his job correctly,” he added.

Twomey won the 2016 edition of the King George V Gold Cup with Lizziemary, so knows what it takes to win in the International Arena. His winning ride today also seemed to relish the wide expanse of the main ring at Hickstead. “He has an exuberant gallop, so suits these big rings, he can cover the ground. I just tried to stay in a good rhythm, and luckily, I was just slightly faster.”

Earlier this afternoon, Welshman Mark Edwards clinched the Stoner Jewellers Vase with the pint-sized Flying Tinker II. A huge class of 88 combinations came forward for the speed class, with Mark and his homebred Flying Tinker II drawn two-thirds of the way through the class.

“It was a great round – everything went to plan,” he says. “Flying Tinker is such a super little horse – he always tries for me and just makes my job really easy,” said Mark.

Great Britain's Alexander Bragg completed the stage aboard the 13-year-old Hegglelane Houston (Panter).

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