Eleven first-timers cross the finish line

Not for Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift though, who smashed it out of the park with an immaculate clear round to climb two places to the runner up spot. Tom features in the main 'end of event' wrap, but suffice to say, one of his first comments was: “I think I might come back again!”

Alice Casburn and Topspin were equally impressive moving from eighth up to fifth with another foot perfect clear, while American rider Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8 climbed from 16^th to 10^th with the final first-timer clear round.

Alice, the youngest competitor this year at just 20-years-old, said: “I was really nervous today, and the fact that Topspin is such a good jumper actually made it worse. My heart was thudding when I saw all the people around the arena, but the whole Burghley experience has been incredible.”

Cornelia was equally delighted. “I don't have the words for it yet, to be honest. If somebody had told me at the start of the week that I'd be in this position today I would have told them they were crazy. This result has given me so much confidence for the future.”

Corvett, ridden by Emily Hamel and CMS Google under Kristina Hall-Jackson hit one rail apiece for 20^th and 25^th but the rest of the Saturday survivors fared less well.

Wills Oakden (Oughterard Cooley), Sarah Clark (LV Balou Jeanz) and Hollie Swain (Solo) each had three fences down, finishing 13^th, 22^nd and 28^th respectively. Bubby Upton (Cola III), Padraig Mccarthy (HHS Noble Call) and Phil Brown ( Harry Robinson), lowered four poles apiece for 14^th, 19^th and 27^th.