Cameron Hanley, riding Southwind VDL, and Peter Charles, with Murka’s Midnightlady, tied for first place after jumping five clear rounds in the Christmas eve six bar.

Both horses were jumping in this type of class for the first time, but neither seemed worried about clearing the 6ft 3in (1.90m) final fence.

“Six bars are quite nice classes for big jumping horses,” said Cameron, who was lucky not to drop the top rail of the final fence after a big rattle in round four. “It’s not stressful for them and helps getting them up in the air for other tracks.”

Southwind VDL, was one of Cameron’s Meydan Nations Cup horses this year and famously jumped clear during a torrential downpour during the Hickstead leg this summer.

Peter was keen to have the fence raised to jump again, but rules state only five rounds are allowed.

“She felt really good and would have jumped bigger,” said Peter. “I’ll definitely consider doing a puissance with her in the future.”

Murka’s Midnightlady only joined Peter’s string last month, having come from the USA’s John and Beezie Madden. She has been bought to give stable jockey Peter Moloney more experience over bigger tracks, but Peter Charles will use her from time to time.