Ben Maher and the aptly named Wonderboy captured the winner-takes-all Renault Christmas Master, a contest for the top seven riders in the show so far.

The competition, in which riders nominate fences to be raised in each round, thus raising the stakes by £500 with every clear round, was of such a high standard that it went to a four-way jump-off for the £14,500 jackpot.

When Ellen Whitaker and Locarno had the last fence down, the baton was handed to Ben, who produced an immaculate display of power jumping on the 18hh grey Wonderboy.

“Wonderboy is great at jumping verticals, which is why I kept choosing to put up fence 2,” explained Ben. “I hoped that others might have problems with it, and it’s what helped me survive each round.”

Michael Whitaker then faulted on GIG Tankeray and Italian sensation Natale Chiaudani had the first fence down on Milos du plain, by the brilliant French team stallion Flipper d’Elle.

Earlier, European Champion Kevin Staut went out in the third round – a fence down spells instant elimination – and Robert Whitaker, deputising for his injured father John on Casino, departed in the second.

Ben explained that it has taken him a while to find the key to Wonderboy, who came to him 12 months ago, having been produced by Georgie Strutton. Wonderboy has been acting as back-up to Robin Hood, his World Cup horse tomorrow, and has been stepping up to the plate in style, finishing third in the World Cup qualifier in Verona recently.

“He’s very sensitive and it’s taken a long time to find the right buttons,” said Ben. “This class was ideal for him because going in and out after 5 short rounds felt like schooling to him, and he relaxed. He likes Olympia, but he doesn’t like the spotlight.”

In the Accenture Young Show Jumper of the Year class, Matt Sampson raised his hat in triumph as he came through the finish flags, knowing that his outstanding performance in the nine-horse jump-off was going to be impossible for the final rider – ironically, his girlfriend Jessie Drea – to beat.

“I knew the turns would be key and I really trust this horse,” said Matt, 19, of his ride, Luminus, a new ride for Matt which was produced by Sophie Ryan. “He’s fast and he’s really come on over the last six months.

“”You’ve got to risk everything in a jump-off against such good riders, especially Joe (Clayton, runner-up) who is such a brilliant rider. We’re all best friends socially but when it gets to the ring, it’s got to be serious!”

A member of this year’s Young Rider European squad, Matt receives backing from the World Class Performance scheme. Having been based with Duncan Inglis for two years, he is now going solo back home in Sheffield.

It’s been 10 years since a member of the Whitaker family – Robert, in 1999 – lifted this prestigious class founded by the late Dorian Williams, and Joe Clayton, a cousin of George, Joe and Thomas Whitaker, who all failed to get into the jump-off, came closest, finishing just 0.26sec behind Matt.

The European Junior Champion Carian Scudamore, at 16 one of the youngest in the class, put up a spirited challenge on the cat-like Angel ll to take third place.