Hanley's credentials impressive for Derby

Cameron Hanley and Billy Twomey will do their best to underline Ireland's renaissance as a leading show jumping nation when they compete in Sunday's 40th British Jumping Derby, which is the closing contest of the Traxdata Derby meeting.

Cameron Hanley and Billy Twomey will do their best to underline Ireland's renaissance as a leading show jumping nation when they compete in Sunday's 40th British Jumping Derby, which is the closing contest of the Traxdata Derby meeting.

Now sponsored by Peugeot, who are offering a 306 Cabriolet car and £10,000 to the winner, the marathon contest includes all the familiar permanent obstacles - notably the 10ft 6in Derby Bank and the Devil's Dyke - which have contributed to its wonderful sense of occasion over the years.

Hanley is returning to Hickstead, which was the scene of his triumph in the King George V Gold Cup last month with Ballaseyr Twilight. He has since added the Dublin Grand Prix to his successes with the 11-year-old, who is bound to be one of the Derby favourites. Rob Hoekstra, who rode Lionel II to win last year's Derby with the only clear round, will naturally attempt a repeat performance on the American thoroughbred with whom he was runner-up to Hanley in the King's Cup. Twomey (fifth last year on Huntingtown) is among those back in action on the same horse.

* Di Lampard, who was surprisingly omitted from Britain's Olympic show jumping team, has been chosen to ride Abbervail Dream in the valuable Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament, which runs from 6 to 10 September at Calgary in Canada. She will be joined in the team by Andrew Davies, Tim Stockdale and Michael Whitaker.