O'Connor raises bar

EQUESTRIAN SPORT: Cian O'Connor, who has notched up an impressive succession of speed-class victories in recent weeks, gave the Irish selectors further food for thought with a superb double clear on his Olympic hope Waterford Crystal, one of only two in yesterday's German Nations Cup in Aachen

O'Connor, who is bidding to be included in the Athens team when the squad is announced next week, won at the German fixture on Wednesday and then added two second places to his tally before his masterly performance in the Cup yesterday afternoon, when the Irish wound up fourth.

The Irish went into the team competition as defending champions, but none of O'Connor's team-mates managed to replicate his foot-perfect round, leaving the Germans out in front on eight faults at the close of play, with Ireland two fences off the pace.

Marion Hughes, who lowered three fences in the first round with Heritage Fortunus, came back fighting to record a clear at the second attempt, but although Jessica Kurten and Kevin Babington put in a four-faulter apiece, the clean sheet they were seeking proved out of reach.

Billy Twomey was an obvious omission from yesterday's team, but his horse Luidam is said to have a foot problem and chef d'équipe Colonel Ned Campion is awaiting a farrier's and vet's report to see whether the horse is still a contender for an Olympic place.

"It was important for him to have had the run today," Campion said. "It (the failure to jump) hasn't strengthened his claim. We're not ruling him out completely and obviously we'll keep our options open for as long as we can."