Hopes high for Nations Cup success in La Baule

It may prove an omen that Cian O’Connor rides Good Luck in today’s Furusiyya Nations Cup at La Baule, France, but the Olympic bronze medallist believes the team has enough ability to create its own fortune.

This was given credence when Bertram Allen took the top prize in the feature speed class on Romanov, though, winning for the 19-year-old has become so commonplace it is now almost perceived as much a right as a privilege.

O’Connor will be the first rider into the ring today, after Ireland were drawn as pathfinders in the eight-nation contest, with manager Robert Splaine also opting for Darragh Kenny (Sans Soucis Z), Greg Broderick (MHS Going Global) and Allen with his recent World Cup bronze-medal-winning mount Molly Malone.