Ireland's historic run of five Nations Cup victories could be extended in Aachen this afternoon, but a win at the prestigious German fixture will be a tough nut to crack. The last Irish victory in Aachen was back in 1995.

Veteran of that squad, Eddie Macken has now donned the chef d'equipe's hat and has selected Harry Marshall to open the batting for Ireland with Cruiseline. The mare is by Cruising, the Hartwell Stud sire that was officially retired last weekend and so will not be defending the Aachen Grand Prix title won 12 months ago with Trevor Coyle in the saddle.

Kevin Babington, the New Jersey based rider who makes his Irish team debut today, is drawn to run second with Carling King. The Kelletts graduate has been making something of a name for himself on the American circuit, but Aachen is the 30-year-old's first senior international competition in Europe.

Edward Doyle (Cor d'Alme Z) and last year's Queen's Cup winner Jessica Kurten (Paavo N) complete the Irish quartet and Macken reports that all five horses have been jumping well over the past three days.

The team is without the services of Peter Charles' mare, Traxdata Amber du Montois, which knuckled over on a front joint almost two weeks ago when jumping in Norten-Hardenberg in Germany. The mare is still on the convalescent list, but Charles hopes to have her back in action in time for the British Nations Cup meeting in Hickstead at the end of the month.