Equestrianism: Heavy rain is Britain's main worry

Derek Ricketts, the chef d'equipe of the Great Britain team at the Dublin Horse Show, is more concerned about the underfoot conditions than the opposition for today's Nations Cup. The going had become treacherously slippery during yesterday's steady, but relentless, rain and there is little chance of improvement.

"I hope there's not too much more rain, because it could become a lottery," Ricketts said after yesterday's two contests, in which the ground tended to break up and come away in chunks where horses took tight turns against the clock. Di Lampard will be first to go for Britain on Abbervail Dream, followed by Mark Armstrong on Elise, William Funnell on Amber Du Montois and Tim Stockdale on Fresh Direct Parcival.

Ireland, drawn last of the seven teams, are the favourites. "If we do our job to the best of our ability, we've nothing to worry about," Peter Charles said after looking like the winner of the Power and Speed with Jerome until the flying Frenchman, Patrice Delaveau – second last to go on Lotus XV – beat him by 1.14sec.