Irish riders get in groove for Aga Khan
Team manager Robert Splaine has named a strong squad for the contest, in which he will be hoping to see his selection put some space between a resurgent Sweden as both countries battle to avoid relegation.
Splaine will today pick a team of four from his five-rider squad of Cian O’Connor, Denis Lynch, Eddie Macken, Edward Doyle and Jessica Kürten.
In yesterday’s opener, Lynch produced a clear round with Thomas Straumann’s Upsilon D’Ocquier to place third in the Fáilte Stakes, the German-based Tipperary rider finishing two seconds off the pace set by Sweden’s Peder Fredricson on Maloubet De Pleville.
Second place went to Gert-Jan Bruggink on Cash Jr and the Dutchman went one better in following Speed Stakes with Acodetto to deny O’Connor. The Meath-based rider steered Dermot O’Rourke’s Baloufina across the line two-and-a-half behind Bruggink to secure runner-up.
The subsequent Irish Sports Council Classic saw O’Connor (Rancorrado) and Lynch (Nabab’s Son) finish on five apiece in round one, with Kürten picking up up a single time fault on Jipey Dark.
Darragh Kerins kept the Irish flag flying, when third on Night Train.
O’Connor said that, relegation battle aside, he and his squad members were always prepared to give their all at Dublin Horse Show
“Super League competition is always difficult, but performing well in the Aga Khan is important to everyone. We will be leaving no stone unturned to do well and it will not be for the want of trying,” said the Meath-based rider.
Splaine led Ireland back to the Super League last year after a year in the second division. He and his riders will not be anxious to return so quickly. To do this they must avoid finishing last at the end conclusion. Currently, Ireland are second last, with just over five points separating them from the Swedes, who have spent the season propping up the eight-country league.
However, they demonstrated last time out at Hickstead that they will not go down without a fight, placing second.
A look up the league table shows just over three points separate Ireland from sixth-placed Switzerland, with Belgium and the US within five points.
Dublin is the penultimate leg of the Super League ahead of the final in Barcelona in September. However, double points at the Spanish fixture could make the competition a bit of a lottery. As such, a good result tomorrow accompanied by the reverse for Sweden would provide a welcome cushion.
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