NUMBERS in the national class at the Balcas three day event, which starts today at Necarne Castle in Co Fermanagh, were reduced by three to 68 at yesterday afternoon's first horse inspection. Tamso Doyle's Tipp Magic, Meike Biegel's Tipp Toff and John McBride's South Pacific were all returned to their stables by the ground jury and will take no further part in the competition after being adjudged lame.

The international class, which also runs under the Balcas flag, has just 35 starters.