Robert Splaine to Allen: Play your usual game in World Cup final

Ireland manager Robert Splaine yesterday had one piece of advice for Bertram Allen going into next week’s World Cup final: Play your usual game, writes John Tynan.

Allen will gamble in Las Vegas on being one of the youngest riders to lift the title, and Splaine, a man of vast experience, says the 19-year-old Wexfordnative has already shown he has a winning formula with the grey mare Molly Malone V, who gave him the first of two World Cup qualifier victories in his debut in Verona, Italy, last November.

“Bertram doesn’t need to change anything, because whatever he is doing, he’s doing it right,” said Splaine, who was taking time out yesterday from competing at the Millstreet Welcome Tour.