Laurie Lever congratulates his horse Ashleigh Drossel Dan following their two foot perfect rounds Sale World Cup Qualifier 2008 Photograph:Lisa Mawson

Conditions were far from perfect on Saturday when almost 50mm of rain fell at the grounds, but careful planning by the organisers and some much needed sunshine ensured the footings were superb for the feature event of  “The Elms” Spring Jumping Classic.

Lever jumped the only double clear and fast round to take the win ahead of Chris Burton aboard Copabella Visage on four penalties, and local rider Gavin Chester on Warlord II, eight penalties.

“We were very doubtful the event was going to run because of the weather,” Lever said after his win.

“But the committee worked hard and it was in the lap of the Gods which saved the arena today. They made it as good as it could possibly be.

“It was a credit to the course designer, Leeson Sirett, that so many horses came close to clear rounds. Leeson did everything in his power to put the jumps in the best possible position in these trying conditions.”

International judge and event organiser Anne Garner said the courses were big and inviting.

“They encouraged the horses to really extend themselves. I had Laurie as a favourite to win back to back, which he did in great form,” she said.

Fourteen riders started in the 675m first round which consisted of 12 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts. The first was a 1.4 x 1.8m triple bar then on to a 1.5m vertical.

Course designer Leeson Sirett said the course was big, and would only get bigger.

“Conditions have been greatly affected by the wet weather,” he said.

“The most marked difference is the overall shape of the plan, but the course is big, and gets big quickly.”

This proved to be true with fence three a 1.48 x 1.5m oxer, fence four a 1.49x 1.90m triple bar and then the first of the combinations, two 1.48m verticals set at 7.9m apart.

Fence six was a 1.5 x 1.5m oxer and seven was the 1.5m brick wall. Few combinations had problems at the wall.

Fence eight, was the house sponsored by GBG Constructions, with the 1.50m vertical riding well.

The final fences on course included a 1.50 x 1.50m oxer at nine, a curved line to a 1.55m vertical at 10 and then a 1.50 x 1.57 x .75m rising oxer at 11.

The last line of fences was the treble combination at 12 with a 1.43 x 1.50 x 1.50 oxer on to a 1.49m vertical and finally a 1.1.45 x 1.45 x 1.80m oxer. The shortened distance between the first and second part of the treble didn’t cause many concerns to riders.

Leeson Sirett predicted two clear rounds, stating if he got four he would be “very happy”.

Leeson wasn’t far wrong, with Laurie Lever, Chris Burton and Clem Smith the only clear rounds in the first. Gavin Chester, Amy Graham and Julia Hargreaves all finished on four penalties while Tim Amitrano, Billy Raymount, Adam Mellers and Wendy Schaefer were on eight.

These 10 riders took to the second round, a shortened course including four jumps from round one and three new fences, a 1.54 x 1.80m oxer at 13, the brick wall in reverse at 14, and a 1.62m vertical at 15.

Laurie Lever posted the fastest second round in a time of 51.83 seconds, cementing his win.

Second placegetter, Chris Burton and Copabella Visage completed round two in 54.27s and four penalties while third placegetter Gavin Chester and Warlord II, carrying four penalties from round one, had a further four penalties at fence 15 with a time of 54.95s.

This was Chester and Warlord II’s first outing this season since returning from America in August.

“I am pretty pleased with is performance, although he got a bit strong in the first round,” Chester said.

“I had originally planned to compete him all three days, but this was reduced to two because it was so wet. The course rode really well and the ground held up quite well.”

Fourth place went to Julia Hargreaves and Copabella Haymen, carrying four penalties from round one, a further four at 12a to finish in 55.08s.

Queenslander Billy Raymont and Stardom had a rail at fence 13 to finish on 12 penalties and a time of 53.83s.

Adam Mellers and Animate had a total of 12 penalties, four from the first round to finish sixth. Mellers was third in the World Cup standings, while leader Amy Graham aboard Transatlantic, posted four penalties in her first round, and had rails at fence 1 and 12c to finish on 12 penalties, to finish seventh.