IRELAND might be tiny in world trotting terms but this country certainly punched above its weight at the magnificent Paris track, Vincennes, (known as the Temple of Trotting) last weekend.

Firstly, a delegation from Ireland were welcomed at a glitzy reception on the third floor of the grandstand on the Saturday where Umbratica (Meadowbranch owned) was toasted as the 2017 leading Trotteur Français in Ireland.