First out on course today was the current World number one, Harry Meade, on the first of three rides, Et Hop du Matz. The pair will have settled the nerves of many less experienced competitors, jumping a lovely clear 11 seconds over the optimum time.He loved it, said an elated Harry. We set off in the spirit we meant to go on, with his ears pricked, and he finished full of running.Cosby Green and Tom Jackson also jumped clear with Jos Ufo de Quidam and United 36 (34 and eight seconds over respectively, but the 2024 winner Caroline Powell on High Time suffered a horse fall towards the end of the course, at fence 28, the Rathbones Curve, ending their competition.Holly Richardson was the first to make it home inside the time with Ballyneety Silver Service, explaining afterwards that she puts a lot of pressure on herself and went out thinking, come on, lets do it. The horse is incredibly fast and very polite, so doesnt need much setting up I dont think I have ever sat on such a fast horse.Unfortunately one of the serious contenders for the title, Gemma Stevens, retired before the Vicarage Vee perhaps due to a shoeing issue.