IRELAND, winners last year of the Aga Khan Cup, start as even money favourites to retain the title at the RDS this afternoon.
And the draw certainly gives the hosts the advantage, with Ireland last of the six nations to jump.
But the British are always a force to be reckoned with and there was heavy support for them at the bookies, with England backed from 5 to 2 down to 6 to 4 within an hour of the betting opening. Britain has won the Dublin Nations Cup on 21 occasions, shortheading the Irish by just three victories, but the British have been drawn as pathfinders for this afternoon's competition.
Irish chef d'equipe, Col Campion, was in bullish mood, however, claiming yesterday afternoon he would be fielding the winning team. Col Campion has selected Peter Charles to open the batting for Ireland with his European championship winner, La Ina, while Trevor Coyle, who missed the Olympics with Cruising, goes in as number two with the stallion.
Army rider, Capt John Ledingham, who bids for his third consecutive Hickstead Derby win next weekend, goes third with Kilbaha. Ledingham also lost his chance of an Olympic debut in Atlanta when Kilbaha was hit by travel sickness, but the gelding has now fully recovered.
Eddie Macken, who has played the captain's role so successfully over the years, once again goes in the all important number four slot. But he is without his top horse, Miss FAN, and instead relies on the Dutch bred FAN Schalkhaar, which returned from Atlanta on Wednesday morning and appears none the worse for the long flight home.
"We basically have the same team that won last year," ColCampion stated, "even though Eddie isn't on the same horse. He is the best man to go as number four with his back to the wall, but he didn't have to jump the second round in either Calgary or Dublin last year and hopefully we'll have it won before he goes.
The British will be determined to fight all the way to the wire, however, and the quartet of Nick Skelton, Robert Smith, Di Lampard and John Whitaker, will be hoping to justify the faith the punters have already shown in them.
France, quoted at odds of 7 to 1, is drawn second to jump, followed by Germany (7 to 1), Switzerland (12 to 1), outsiders Italy at 16 to 1, with even money favourites Ireland last to go.