Irish Paris riders lead the way

Ireland's "best team" land the Nations' Cup, with British pairs also on good form

- ELEANOR HUGHES

CHIO Aachen, Germany

IRELAND threw down the gauntlet in the Mercedes-Benz Aachen Nations' Cup, winning after three riders had jumped and two combinations who'll be travelling to the Olympics achieving double clears - with Mexico and Britain in second and third respectively.

Denis Lynch (Vistogrand), Bertram Allen (Pacino Amiro), Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz) and Cian O'Connor (Fancy De Kergane) were among five teams who took a clean sheet to round two.

Shane and James Kann Cruz are on the Olympic team and Bertram and Pacino Amiro are the alternates.

They were level with Sweden, Mexico, Britain and the Netherlands, then jumped three clears in round two, so Cian and the nineyear-old stallion did not have to jump again.

Irish chef d'equipe Michael Blake said it was his "full bucket list" to win this title, which Ireland had not done since 2010.

"It was the plan to bring the best team and thankfully things went our way. Thank you to Mexico and Great Britain for pushing us to the line." Britain were in fine form, with one unlucky rail for Harry Charles and Casquo Blue in round one, and Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly), Scott Brash and his Paris Olympics ride Hello Jefferson and Robert Whitaker (Vermento) jumping clear.

Ben and Scott repeated their foot-perfect performances in round two, but luck was not with Harry, who notched up 12 faults. And Robert and the Blatchfords' 11-year-old stallion clipped just one to put Britain on four faults.

This was the same tally as Mexico: Nicolas Pizarro (Pia Contra), Andres Azcarraga (Contendros 2), Federico Fernandez (Romeo) and Eugenio Garza Perez (Contago), who edged ahead on time.

British showjumping performance manager Di Lampard was delighted.

"They're coming into form at the right time," she said.