Pregnant Ros Canter silenced any critics by pulling off a stunning cross-country clear aboard Lordships Graffalo at Defender Burghley today in the fastest time of the day to hold the overnight lead.The defending champions finished eight seconds inside the time to give themselves a 6.2-penalty cushion going into tomorrows showjumping finale, which means they have one fence in hand.When I walk the course I move the minute markers up 10 seconds to give me a buffer, and I felt just a little bit down all the way, which is quite good for me because it makes me try that little bit harder, but I didnt realise I was that far [inside the time], said Ros. I thought I was kind of pushing it coming to the second last. To be honest, he probably did feel a little bit wearier. I dont think wearier in his gallop, but doing Defender Valley and then going to the Leaf Pit to then turn around again, its a little bit demoralising.When I came through Defender Valley for the second time the crowd were insane. Hes got such a fan club. It was so loud, it was amazing.2, Austin OConnor and Colorado BlueIrelands Austin OConnor and Colorado Blue picked up 0.8 time-faults to move into second.Its probably the toughest track weve jumped at that speed, said Austin. Theres a lot of jumping from the word go, a lot of galloping. It was beautiful ground, but there was a bit of juice in it. Im sure he got me out of trouble a couple of times, as he does. Hes got to be at the top of his game at the moment. 3, Tim Price and VitaliTim Price and Vitali picked up 8.8 time faults to slot into third. Tim said their round was not without hairy moments, but explained that this is to be expected when youre trying to ride economically while at maximum effort.Hes not an out and out Thoroughbred horse, so his top speed is maybe 580 metres per minute, and theres some other ones that do 620, but hed do that 580 all day long, added Tim.Hes a trier, but its just not in his physical make-up to be stretched out galloping faster.4, Harry Meade and Annaghmore ValonerHarry Meade pulled off a masterclass of cross-country riding by piloting all three of his rides home clear, to take fourth, fifth and sixth places.He was the last rider to leave the startbox, aboard Annaghmore Valoner, a 13-year-old bay mare who is best placed of his trio at this stage.I try and stay in the zone. Now I can come up for air, said Harry after his final round. Its the incentive of these big ones that I really enjoy. I sort of had a bad run up to it, every part of my bodys taped and strapped. I had a trip to the physio between my second and third horse, but it all came good.Annaghmore Valoner pecked on landing at the penultimate cross-country fence, the same one stablemate Et Hop du Matz had done so at the start of the day.She jumped beautifully out of a stride, a little peck, but it probably looked more than it was, said Harry.5, Harry Meade and Cavalier CrystalCavalier Crystal, a 15-year-old by Coroner, is just 0.3 of a penalty adrift of her stablemate in fifth.Ive ridden her since she was five years old, so we know each other really well, said Harry. Shes a horse I never thought would gallop. Right up to two years ago, when I brought her to Burghley for her first five-star, I was still unsure as to whether to run her. She used to scamp along with a very quick turnover of footfall, but no length of stride. Its really been about teaching her to relax, almost switch off, breathe, lengthen her stride. Shes a pretty gorgeous cross-country horse; she was amazing at the last two Burghleys, and even better this time.6, Harry Meade and Et Hop du MatzHarry kicked off the days proceedings aboard Et Hop du Matz, and his first ride also became his quickest ride, despite two particularly hairy moments one at the Trout Hatchery and a second at the penultimate fence.I was having a peach of a ride, then I was five strides away from the fence into the main bit of water in the Trout Hatchery, someone ran into the middle, and then turned around and ran out, said Harry. It took both my eye and the horses eye, and I ended up slightly overriding. He had a very big jump in but he stayed on his feet.At the Quilter Cheviot Lamberts Sofa (fence 30), Harry was thrown forward on to the horses neck. He said it was rider error.I was on a very long stride and didnt quite get it right. Hes a lovely, long striding horse. He always goes a little bit off the bridle. He was quite far off it, and then I thought, hang on, sit up, because I think hes going to add one [stride], and he did, but we got away with it.7, Alice Casburn and TopspinAlice Casburn and Topspin are aiming to continue their great Burghley record with a fourth-consecutive top-10 finish, and have given themselves a great shot of achieving just that with a clear round today with 4.4 time-faults to add.I definitely felt the pressure coming out this morning. If anything goes wrong, its certainly not on his part, said Alice. He was cracking. We had a nice natter the whole way around and I actually managed to enjoy myself this time. I promised that I would take a minute to soak it in and I did.8, Gaspard Maksud and ZaragozaFrances Gaspard Maksud finished best of the first timers here last year when finishing sixth aboard Zaragoza. They jumped clear with 5.6 time-faults to add today.Last year just give us the experience and the belief that we could do it and be competitive, but it was the blind leading the blind, said Gaspard. Now weve come back [and] we needed to prove we can do that again. She tries so hard for me. She was getting tired, but they all will. Its a lot of hills up and down. I took more time to set her up, just to make sure we didnt make a stupid mistake, and she was very good to the end.9, Laura Collett and BlingLaura Collett has moved inside the top 10 with Bling, the pair surviving a sticky moment when the mare spotted a ditch, the B element behind a brush in Defender Valley, and threw her rider forward in the saddle.Things take her by surprise. She just needs a split second, but thats where she was so honest and quick-thinking. As soon as she jumped the ditch, she looked up, saw the corner, and saw her way out, said Laura.What a mare. Shes so tough and gritty. I thought she had it in her, but you just never know. I walked this course and thought, are we here a year too early for her experience? She just took it all on, and shes so honest.10, Holly Richardson and Ballyneety Silver ServiceTen-year-old grey Ballyneety Silver Service, the mount of Holly Richardson, is contesting his first five-star.As soon as I set off, I thought this is a Burghley horse, lets go, said Holly. You dont know what youve got until you get out there. I got through that Lion Bridge area and the water again, and I was like, yeah, hes on it.Top 10 after cross-countryGreat Britains Ros Canter on Lordships Graffalo, 22.4Irelands Austin OConnor on Colorado Blue, 28.6New Zealands Tim Price on Vitali, 31.9Great Britains Harry Meade on Annaghmore Valoner, 33Great Britains Harry Meade on Cavalier Crystal, 33.3Great Britains Harry Meade on Et Hop du Matz, 35.1Great Britains Alice Casburn on Topspin, 35.8Frances Gaspard Maksud on Zaragoza, 37.4Great Britains Laura Collett on Bling, 40.2Great Britains Holly Richardson on Ballyneety Silver Service, 41.6More from BurghleyPressure is a privilege: rider with imposter syndrome bids for third Burghley completionTop riders battle with nerves, too! How one Burghley rider overcame a confidence lossProperty director and cheap ex-racehorse make their CCI5* debutHow to watch Defender Burghley Horse TrialsThe post What a day! Ros sets herself up for second title: Burghley top 10 in pictures appeared first on Your Horse.