Ireland face hot competition in Rome

The temperature in Rome was high yesterday, matched by the spirit in the Irish camp, if Billy Twomey is any sort of barometer.

The Corkman had just taken Tinka’s Serenade for a spin in the opening jump-off class, retiring in the first round to conserve the chestnut mare and, commented: “The heat is killing. It’s f**kin hot, and you can quote me,” he joked.

Flippancy aside, the Nottinghamshire-based Corkman said Serenade was on song ahead of tomorrow’s second leg of the FEI Nations Cup and, with Ireland one of three countries to share fifth place in the series opener at La Baule, he predicted today’s contest would be another stiff test.