Can Britain get closer to the Irish at this year’s Cheltenham Festival?

The Prestbury Cup hasn’t been very competitive for a number of years now and Ireland have, more often than not, come out on top ever since its inception. Last year was a similar story, as British trainers could only muster up eight winners, compared to Ireland’s 20.

With the likes of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott firing on all cylinders, it’s going to be hard for Britain to turn things around this year, but it’s entirely possible that they can close the gap and at least make it somewhat competitive.

We’re going to take a look at some of the key races which could go the way of the home team this year and a double-figure total is by no means out of the question.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes was the winner in 2025, but this time around Britain has a couple of live contenders who shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, one of them is current favourite Old Park Star who is trained by Nicky Henderson.

Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, Old Park Star could hardly have been more impressive at Haydock last month. Idaho Sun won a Grade 1 at Aintree on Boxing Day and it would be unwise to underestimate him as well.

Harry Fry ’s gelding ran a cracker to finish sixth in the Champion Bumper at last year’s Festival and there are plenty of reasons to be confident of an even better performance. It’s going to be a hot race but this year Britain has a serious chance of coming out on top.

Arkle Novices’ Chase

Day one is often dominated by Ireland but the first two races could go the way of the home team this year. Another one for Nicky Henderson, the very promising novice Lulamba heads for the Arkle and is very much the one to beat.

A smart juvenile hurdler last term, he was narrowly denied by hurdling debutant Poniros in the Triumph Hurdle but went over to Punchestown for a revenge-seeking mission after that and the raid was successful.

Taking very well to fences this term, he’s still a young horse and should be capable of improving as he develops. The gelding is already quite powerful and he’s a rock-solid jumper, while his preparation has been much smoother than that of Kopek Des Bordes.

Turners Novices’ Hurdle

The Paul Nicholls-trained No Drama This End has been sitting at the top of the ante-post market for this race for most of the season and no Irish candidate has managed to usurp him. He’s a different animal over hurdles this year and remains unbeaten in three starts.

It’s not too often that Nicholls will run a novice in a Grade 2 for their first run over hurdles but he did so with No Drama This End, who proved him right with a comfortable win over course and distance. Heading to Sandown next, he was impressive again before winning the Challow.

One potential danger could be Mullins’ Mighty Park who was very impressive in maiden company last time, although he’s not certain to run in this race. Nicholls hasn’t won the Turners before but if any horse can add it to his CV, it could be No Drama This End.

Stayers’ Hurdle

The home team has a few lively candidates this year, which is quite a rare occurrence in recent times. Lisnagar Oscar s victory at odds of 50/1 back in 2020 was the last time a British-trained runner came out on top, but this could be their year. Ma Shantou has improved dramatically over the course of the season and he emerged as a contender after an impressive victory in the Cleeve Hurdle over course and distance on trials’ day. Further progress simply can’t be ruled out. Kabral Du Mathan isn’t a guaranteed runner by any means and settling has been a problem for him in the past, but the very talented six-year-old isn’t without a chance, while Impose Toi needs to bounce back but he’s a contender on the evidence of his Long Walk success.