Sensational cross-country clears from Olympic debutantes Susan Shortt and Trish Donegan propelled the Irish team up to fourth place and in touch with the medallists at the halfway stage during yesterday's team three-day event at Horsley Park. But neither Nicky Cassidy nor Ginny McGrath could reproduce their team-mates' form, leaving Ireland fifth overall of 12 nations.

The Australians had maintained their supremacy to hold a two-fence advantage over the British, but disaster hit third-placed New Zealand at this morning's final horse inspection when Ready Teddy, the horse that had carried Blyth Tait to individual gold in Atlanta four years ago, was failed. The 12-year-old thoroughbred, which had gone clear inside the time across country, was visibly lame behind and, after being held for reinspection, was turned down to eliminate the New Zealand team as Paul O'Brien had not presented Enzed.

The Kiwi problems meant a boost up the order to fifth for the Irish, although they too had some seriously anxious moments when Virginia McGrath's The Yellow Earl was also held over for reinspection.

Susan Shortt had opened the cross-country account for Ireland with Joy Of My Heart. Shortt coaxed the over-excited thoroughbred into the start-box 16 seconds after being given the off, but the pair sped round and still finished 10 seconds inside the time. They went on to complete a wonderful cross-country clear, missing the optimum time by the merest of fractions for .4 of a time fault and the perfect start to the Irish bid to move up the rankings from 10th.

Shortt, who had taken the direct routes throughout, then briefed Irish number two, Trish Donegan, who put in another brilliant performance for Ireland's second clear, this time from the talented Don't Step Back.

Irish tails were up, but Ireland's number three, Mr Mullins chose his first Olympic appearance to make an uncharacteristic mistake at the corner in the first water and shot past another corner at the Farmyard two fences later.

A clear from Irish number four, Ginny McGrath, would have gone a long way towards salvaging the situation, but she picked up 20 for a stop at the double of curving hedges at seven with an onward-bound Yellow Earl. Despite tackling the last kilometre at racing pace, the combination could never make up the deficit on the clock to add another 21.2 to their tally.