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Sat 09 Sep 2007Ireland maintain lead with Zagreb secondSHOW JUMPING: Ireland continued to lead the FEI Nations' Cup league following the latest round in Zagreb yesterday when the team finished second of 12 countries to clear-cut winners France,writes Margie McLoone.The French squad coped well with the poor ground conditions in the Croatian capital for a total score of 16 faults while Ireland, with 41, just managed to stay ahead of Germany and Switzerland who tied for third on 42. The Irish team comprised Edward Doyle and Utopia Vi'T Hoogveld (clear and eight faults), Thomas Ryan withUrleven van de Helle (4/8), Niall Talbot and Tequi d'I CH (5/-) and Denis Lynch on Upsilon d'Ocquier (8/16).Commenting on the result, the Irish team manager Robert Splaine said: "The ground conditions were a huge factor. There was a storm last night and one today and two of our horses pulled shoes in the first round.The score sheet gives some indication of just how difficult it was for all the teams."On the opening day of the four-star show, Germany-based Lynch won the speed class on the grey stallion Schneesturm.