Jessica Kurten became the third Irish woman to win the Queen Elizabeth Cup when she rode the diminutive Dutch-bred Paavo N to victory on Saturday in a performance that must have clinched her a place on the squad for Kerrygold Dublin and, barring mishaps, a return ticket to Hickstead for next month's European championships.

Drawn second to go of five through to Saturday's jump-off, her time of 55.79 proved an impossible target, with her three remaining rivals faulting in their bid to beat the clock.

Her reward for Saturday's first win was a cheque for £3,000, a quarter of the jackpot secured by Nick Skelton in yesterday's men's equivalent, the King George V Gold Cup.

A top-class field was whittled down to 10 for the timed decider, and current European champion Ludger Beerbaum was called in as pathfinder with the French-bred stallion Champion du Lys. The grey rocketed around the giant Hickstead arena to stop the clock on 47.77, leaving those waiting in the wings with a lot to do.

Five failed in their attempts before Edward Doyle left all the fences standing with Wingates King Koal. His time of 55.79 never threatened the leader, "but I decided to play the percentage game that a clear would get into the money".

It certainly achieved that: Doyle's round was good enough for third place and a cheque for £5,000.

The selectors meet tomorrow to decide on the Kerrygold squad.