Blake’s side will jump fifth of the eight competing nations, as Ireland aim for back-to-back wins in the Aga Khan Trophy at the RDS.

Aga Khan Trophy debutant Michael Duffy and Cinca 3 will be the Irish pathfinders.

Next into the Main Arena for the home nation will be another Aga Khan Trophy first timer in Mikey Pender and the Irish Sport Horse HHS Calais.

The experienced Cian O’Connor and Eve D’Ouilly will be next to jump for Ireland, while US-based Shane Sweetnam and the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz will be the anchor leg.

Speaking at the team draw on Friday morning, Michael Blake said:

“I’m very confident, I have named a strong team – but there are very strong teams here.

“Michel Duffy has been on three Nations Cup teams this season with Cinca 3 and jumped five clear rounds out of six. So we will start off with him as our first rider in.

“Michael Pender has jumped in two Nations Cup and was outstanding in Rome with HHS Calais.

“We are going to put Cian in third, which some might find unusual. He’s on a new horse to him, who is less experienced, so he can go in and jump his own round without as much pressure.

“Shane is on one of the best horses in the world right now, so we’re going to let him carry the weight of the world and put him in last.”

The eight nations competing for the Aga Khan Trophy will jump in the following order:

1. Mexico
2. The Netherlands
3. Spain
4. Great Britain
5. Ireland
6. Belgium
7. France
8. Switzerland

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Irish riders wasted no time in the International Competitions in the Main Arena and won all three International events on the opening day of the Show.

It was an Irish 1-5 in The Speed Stakes with Michael Pender and HHS Fortune leading the parade. The former Hickstead Derby-winner rider saw off his fellow countrymen as Jordan Coyle (Picador) took the runner-up spot, Denis Lynch and GC Chopin’s Bushi were third, Daniel Coyle with KEC Dorian came fourth, while Comdt Geoff Curran and MHS Gabhran completed the first five places in the class.

The early afternoon Minerva Stakes went the way of Richard Howley and Fame with a clear round in a time of 49.38 seconds. The Sligo-native took the winner’s €3,300 ahead of Germany-based Tipperary man Denis Lynch with Rubens LS La Silla.

The opening day feature competition in the Main Arena, The Sport Ireland Classic, was won by the experienced Paul O’Shea from Limerick with his Longines Nations Cup horse, Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu.

On Thursday, the Main Arena will host the The Speed Derby at 1.25pm, with the Anglesea Stakes beginning at 3.30pm.

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