Day One in Dublin - The Sport Ireland Classic

Fast start for the hosts…?

Paul O’Shea won back-to-back editions, despite a two-year Covid gap, taking the win in both 2022 and 2019. The reigning champ, Shane Sweetnam, will be hoping to emulate his compatriot as he lines up here with the exciting Irandole Du Flot who makes a five-star 160 debut. 

Darragh Kenny’s Chic Chic has landed 2 clears from just 3 attempts when it comes to previous five-star 160 experience. A small sample size but an impressive start to this level. Darragh won this class back in 2018 with the impressive Balou Du Reventon and he’ll be hoping that Chic Chic could follow in those illustrious hoofprints.

The EquiRatings Form Guide ‘Hometown Hero’ selection is Conor Swail’s Casturano. The Elo rating, tracking consistency as well as quality of performance, could be higher with his ranking at 16th in this competition based on that metric. But the rider is ruthlessly quick, as he demonstrated when providing the winning jump-off round in this arena against the French in the 2022 Aga Khan Nations Cup. Casturano has also produced three career clears at the five-star 160 level and should have the gears necessary to win if he can make it a fourth clear at the level here.   

The Overseas Threats

Ben Maher likes an Olympic Gold medal having just his third one to his career tally for the team win in Paris. His horse Exit Remo is the highest rated in the competition and will take all the beating if his rider decides that it’s game time. This could be a prep for bigger things to come later in the week, but all will become clear as he breaks the opening time beams. 

On ratings, the overseas riders bring forward 7 of the 8 highest-rated horses in this Sport Ireland Classic, so there is a bit of choice when looking for the principle challengers to a home win. McLain Ward is another recent Olympic medalist finishing one spot behind Maher in the team competition and bringing home team silver. His ride here is another five-star 160 debutant in First Lady, but they are in hot form with four podium finishes in their last five competitions. Speed is this man’s forte.

Swiss all-star Martin Fuchs brings forward another inexperienced horse in Bastille. But his form is solid with six clears in his last seven rounds at four and five-star shows. Another rider that is willing to take risks when it comes to the clock, so if he’s clear and he’s focused on victory, this could be another to set a fast time.

VERDICT

The overseas strength will make this a tough start for the home nation. Only one Irish flag is likely to make the podium in our opener.

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