Last weekend, a solid fourth place in a rain-soaked Prince of Wales Cup at Hickstead earned the young Irish side of Daniel Coyle, Richie Moloney, Richard Howley and Shane Sweetnam a crucial 70 points in Division I of the FEI Nations Cup.

This surely sealed their place in the final at Barcelona next September. But for the double at fence 11 Ireland’s fortunes would have been much brighter, but as team manager Rodrigo Pessoa pointed out 16 of their 17 faults came at that obstacle on the turn for home.

Daniel Coyle, who had won the Bunn speed class earlier in the day on Simba de la Roque by Kannan, jumped a four and a clear on Cita. Richard Howley, in his first major Division I team outing, had an eight and a clear on Chinook. Richie Moloney was clear first time with just one time fault and had one down in the second round with Ypaja Yando.

With the nine-year-old Main Road Shane Sweetnam scored a nine and then a four that saw Ireland miss out on a possible second place behind the rampaging Brazilians who won the Cup on a total of just four faults.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO DUBLIN

Ireland have climbed one place in Division I on 305 points to a safe sixth. Below them are France and Spain, who came last in this penultimate leg and are trailing in eighth place. At the last round in Dublin next week the Spanish would have to win and Ireland place last in order for there to be even a question mark over our qualification.

On present form that situation is very, very unlikely to happen.

In next week’s Aga Khan the five teams seeking points along with Ireland and Spain are France, Holland, last year’s winners Italy and Switzerland. Due to the closeness of the points rating in this division a good result in the RDS could move Ireland well up the table and hence ensure a favourable draw for our selection in the 2018 points-gaining venues.

Best of the Irish in the Kings Cup at Hickstead was Shane Sweetnam riding Main Road who placed fifth.

LATEST POINTS TABLE

Italy 345

Holland 335

Switzerland 330

Germany 325

Sweden 307.5

Ireland 305

France 302.5

Spain 250