Coyle top of pile in Florida

IRELAND’S Daniel Coyle won yesterday’s $220,000 (€161,000) Longines FEI World Cup qualifier at the Palm Beach Masters in Wellington, Florida with a brilliant performance on the mare Citta.

The 23-year-old Derry rider, who has been impressing since moving to Canada two years ago, galloped the opposition into the ground in the five-horse jump-off over the course designed by Irishman Alan Wade.

American stars Laura Kraut (Confu) and Margie Goldstein-Engle (Royce) lined up second and third with Israel’s Danielle Goldstein (Lizziemary) in fourth and reigning FEI World Cup champion America’s McLain Ward (HH Callas) in fifth place. A single error in the first round left Tipperary’s Denis Lynch (RMF Echo) in seventh place.

Horse Sport Ireland recently announced the squads selected for the first two Nations Cup of the 2018 season and Coyle is listed on the side for Ocala, Florida on February 18 alongside Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny, Paul O’Shea and Shane Sweetnam.

The first event takes place the previous day in Abu Dhabi and the five-man squad travelling to the UAE includes Shane Breen, Anthony Condon, Cameron Hanley, Paul Kennedy and David Simpson.

Mayoman Hanley posted two strong results at Bordeaux over the weekend with the promising 10-year-old mare Eis Isaura when eighth in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier and seventh in yesterday’s Land Rover Grand Prix.

Louth rider Mark McAuley produced Ireland’s only win at the French event when topping Sunday morning’s Accumulator with Tuiliere.