Murphy heads the field on Zoltan

SCOTLAND's Gordon Murphy (who thinks he may have a drop of Irish blood in him somewhere) heads the international field at the Blarney Castle horse trials after producing a polished dressage test with the 11 year old Zoltan that relegated Thursday's leaders Elizabeth Winter and Gardeur by 0.8 of a penalty.

The 30 year old Glaswegian, based in Reigate, Surrey, has only ridden the thoroughbred/Trakehner cross at one other three day event, the Scottish fixture at Burge two years ago. Things didn't go according to plan there, as Murphy was so violently ill he thought he was suffering from dysentery and, although he rode two horses, neither were in the frame at the finish.

Shortly afterwards Zoltan broke its jaw at home in the stable. But Murphy is confident that the gelding is not only back on form but could well be in with a chance of claiming a share of the Blarney prize money, and describes him as a bold jumper who should cope well with John Dillon's testing, twisting cross country track that is the feature of today's action.

Former junior European champion Suzanne Donnelly is best of the Irish in third with the chestnut thoroughbred Speedy Gonzales, ahead of British pair Lucy Challis and Sarah Bullen, with New Zealand's former world champion Blyth Tait sixth, ahead of Co Antrim jockey Stuart Crawford.

Somewhat confusingly, there is an American topping the national division, but 26 year old Aletta Nickles is eligible to compete in this competition as it is run under international rules. The Virginian, who is based in North Wales with Tuffy Owen, was the only rider in the 69 starter field to burst through the 50 penalty barrier, earning a mark of 49.8 with the seven year old Irish gelding Crackerjack to depose Thursday's best, Pam Horan and Broomfield Lad.

The chairman of selectors John Lyttle, remains in touch (despite the name of his Far Distant), holding a fractional advantage over fourth placed Sally Corscadden and the former racehorse The Real Joker.

Co Down youngster Peter Buchanan made the long journey from Newtownards well worthwhile by riding the eight year old Macauley into pole position in the juniors, more than two points clear of David Myerscough and the roan cob Snowhill, which won at Blarney three years ago with William Codd.

Carlow rider William Clarke and the talented little mare Flying Song saw off the opposition in the pony arena, claiming the early advantage by 0.6 of a mark from Aoife Sisk and Tell Me More, with the top two well clear of third placed Sharon Crean and Dusty Wooster.

The ponies open today's action at 8.30a.m., but for some the highlight of the day will be the arrival of Mother Theresa by helicopter this afternoon when she drops in to kiss the Blarney Stone.