All of Ireland’s 2015 Aga Khan Heroes are back together for a bid to retain the famous trophy on its 90th anniversary in tomorrow’s penultimate round of the Division 1 FEI Furusiyya Nations Cup League at the Dublin Horse Show.

Named on the Irish side by Robert Splaine are: Bertram Allen with his Global Champions Tour star Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve; Greg Broderick on his Olympic horse MHS Going Global (ISH); Darragh Kenny with his good Falsterbo performer Go Easy De Muze; Denis Lynch on All Star 5 and Cian O'Connor on the huge jumper Good Luck.

This is Ireland’s last bid for qualifying points to the rich league final in Barcelona. Seven Division 1 teams go forward to that. At the moment we stand in sixth place above Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic and Italy. Also bidding for points here in the main arena will be France, Sweden, Italy and the Czech Republic, who visit the RDS for the first time.

Joining them for a share of the prize money will be strong sides from Britain, The Netherlands and USA. These last three are the ones we really have to beat if we are to retain the Trophy and pick up enough points to ensure both our place in the final and in the 2017 version of the league.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN

The Irish certainly deserve to go in as favourites to repeat last year’s stunning victory. But as always in the ever twisting 90-year history of this contest, anything can happen and usually does.

Ireland also goes into this week of jumping with our strongest overall contingent of riders in many years.

In addition to the official team members, we also have the likes of Anthony Condon, Conor Swail, Shane Sweetnam, Shane Breen, Billy Twomey and Cameron Hanley, all of whom have had superb results so far this season. It seems a safe bet that this talented group will scoop a very good share of the almost €800,000 on offer in 14 international contests this week.