CIAN O’Connor is confident Larkhill Cruiser can rise to the occasion when he makes his nations cup debut in today’s FEI Top League opener in La Baule, France.

IT may be an extreme scenario, but Robert Splaine would sacrifice Ireland’s place in the Meydan Nations Cup Series if he feels to do otherwise would compromise his chances in the European Championships.

THE trap draw has really thrown the cat among the pigeons in the opening semi-final of the Willie Cummins Memorial Unraced Stake at Curraheen Park tonight.

IT WAS a case of out but not down for Italy yesterday, when the already-relegated Mediterraneans won the €200,000 nations cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

NEXT door neighbours, two detached houses tucked away at the edge of a field overlooking West Cork’s Red Strand, are on the market catching the eyes of passing holiday-makers and promising a base for future breaks away.