Of this year’s first-timers, 14 came back through the cross-country finish line, some of them having caught they eye for fast, smooth performances.

Ireland’s Ian Cassells and Master Point [pictured] are the highest placed of the debutants, in 8th place with just 3.6 time penalties.

Katie Magee, the oldest of the group at 43, and Treworra sped around the course adding just 5.2 time for 13th overnight.

Reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham added 9.6 time penalties on Rehy DJ to lie in 14th place.

New Zealander Tayla Mason, who was only accepted off the waitlist on Monday, collected only 4.4 time for 17th place.

German army officer Jerome Robine on Black Ice also jumped clear for 14.4 time penalties and 22nd place.

Continuing the theme, Japanese Olympian Ryuzo Kitajima also enjoyed a clear round on Feroza Nieuwmoed, with 19.6 time for 29th overnight.

Brazil’s Raphael Losano and Withington were clear with 22.8 time and lie in 32nd place.

Jack Mantel was another to jump clear, on Jack Daniels, adding 19.2 time for 38th overnight.

Jack Pinkney and Rehy Revelation lie in 39th with 21.6 penalties.

Patrick Whelan riding Ikoon Lan added 27.2 with a steady clear for 40th place.

The Belgian pair Senne Vervaecke and Google van Alsingen jumped clear across country, albeit picking up 28 time penalties. They finish the day in 41st .

There was a steady clear for Lizzie Baugh (B Exclusive), adding 32 time penalties for overnight 43rd place.

Tom Bird and Cowling Hot Gossip provided yet another clear, 26.8 time penalties resulting in 45th place.

Kate Rocher-Smith‘s Dassett Select jumped clear but with 42 time penalties for 47th place.

German rider Nicolai Aldinger‘s Timmo picked up 20 jumping penalties and 37.2 time to sit in 55th.

Non-completions:

Seppe Vilain (Kawa de la Cour Z), Tom Woodward (Low Moor Lucky) and Samantha Lissington (Lord Seekonig) retired on course.

Arne Bergendahl (Luthien NRW) and Samantha Cesnik (Graftango) were eliminated.