Irish morale at Falsterbo in Sweden was again lifted this morning when Cian O’Connor and Copain du Perchet had a comfortable win in the Derby Qualifier, ahead of this afternoon’s Nations Cup clash.

Yesterday, Irish riders took the top three places in the Grand Prix qualifier, with Bertram Allen and Izzy by Picobello claiming first, Thomas Ryan and Quite Zero in second and Shane Sweetnam on Main Road in third.

Sweetnam also featured in this morning’s Derby qualifier with a third place on the nine year-old mare Indra van de Oude Heihoef, but it was O’Connor who took the Agria Trophy for his speedy finish on the 12 year-old stallion Copain du Perchet.

O’Connor and Sweetnam are both members of this afternoon’s Irish Nations Cup team, alongside Mark McAuley and Denis Lynch. Lynch was also in the ribbons this morning with a runner-up slot in the 1m45 speed class aboard RMF Zecilie, behind Netherlands rider Jur Vrieling and Acascia.

The Swedish Nations Cup takes place at 1:30pm today (Friday) and will be available on subscription livestream from FEItv.

Jack Burns