Charles sits out Hickstead round

Ireland's 17.5 point lead in the Samsung Nations Cup series will face a serious challenge during today's British round at Hickstead, for which the home side start as ante-post favourites following their blistering win at Aachen two weeks ago. But wherever the Irish quartet finish, they cannot be overtaken on the points table.

The Irish run of five victories was halted at the German fixture, but a third place amongst the world's best was an impressive result and the team will be aiming for the top again this afternoon. However, Peter Charles' mare, Traxdata Amber du Montois, which missed Aachen with a front leg injury, is sidelined again.

The mare jumped in a warm-up class at the Sussex showgrounds on Wednesday and was sound walking out of the arena, but was later found to be lame and Charles withdrew her. The problem is in a hind leg and the mare has been taken off to a veterinary clinic for further investigation in the hope that she will recover for team duty at Dublin in a fortnight's time.

Chef d'equipe Tommy Wade offered Charles the chance of riding his Great Leighs Grand Prix winner Traxdata Mulligan in today's Nations Cup, but the Hampshire-based rider opted to sit it out for the second year in a row - he broke his ankle in a fall during the Eventing Grand Prix 12 months ago.

The vacant slot has now been filled by 27-year-old Cameron Hanley, who was reserve rider at the 1998 world equestrian games in Rome and who is now based in Hampshire with Charles. He booked his slot on today's team with a win in Wednesday's warm-up class and a seventh-placed finish in yesterday's Grand Prix, riding Ballaseyr Twilight.

Hanley will open the batting for Ireland this afternoon, with the team drawn sixth of the seven nations competing. Cian O'Connor, who had the British Grand Prix in his hand when last to go in yesterday's six-way jump-off only to drop to sixth with two mistakes, runs second for Ireland with Waterford Crystal, followed by Dermott Lennon with Liscalgot.

American-based Kevin Babington, who travelled to Germany in the hope of getting some European experience and ended up being drafted onto the Aachen squad, brings up the rear with Carling King.