Prestbury Cup: will the Irish domination continue?

For a generation of Irish racegoers, the dream of a Cheltenham Festival winner was one to chase heartily.

Punters crossed the Irish Sea to the Cotswolds countryside in the hope of seeing an Irish horse claim a prize more so than with any expectation that it would happen.

That has changed dramatically, with the last decade witnessing Irish domination at the Cheltenham Festival like never before. Will it continue in 2025?

Prestbury Cup record

Since its establishment in 2014, the Prestbury Cup has been awarded to the nation that has produced the most winners every year at the Cheltenham Festival, as the age-old Anglo-Irish battle was finally given some credibility and a means of measuring success.

It has coincided with the greatest era of Irish domination ever witnessed at Cheltenham, with the balance of power in National Hunt racing firmly set in Ireland right now.

Britain won 15-12 in 2014 and 14-13 the following year, but the hosts haven't obliged since. There have been eight Irish wins and one draw (2019).

The most staggering year came in 2021, behind closed doors, when Ireland outscored Britain 23-5 in a 'greenwash' and since the Prestbury Cup's inaugural year, Ireland has outscored Britain by 184-120.

Championship contenders in 2025

In 2024, Ireland landed all four Championship races as State Man (Champion Hurdle), Captain Guinness (Champion Chase), Teahupoo (Stayers' Hurdle) and Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup) grabbed the biggest prizes.

Both Teahupoo and Galopin Des Champs are heavy favourites to retain their crowns, but Nicky Henderson is on a mission to restore some order for the hosts, with Constitution Hill widely expected to reclaim the Champion Hurdle and Jonbon the market leader for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Getting back at least half of the Festival's crown jewels would be a solid base for Britain in 2025.

What the markets suggest

In terms of the winners in 2025, it looks set to be more of the same. Ireland are priced at 1/10 to win the Prestbury Cup, with Britain trading at 9/1 and the tie at 14/1.

With the Festival countdown in full swing, Ireland's grip on the ante-post betting is strong too, with the current favourite in 20 of the 28 races hailing from the visiting team. That may or may not translate into success on the track.

Strength in depth, plus the Mullins factor

The sheer strength in depth from the Irish training ranks is what makes their challenge so potent now.

Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead, Gavin Cromwell, Joseph O'Brien, Emmet Mullins and Barry Connell have all tasted success across recent seasons and then there is the force of nature that is Willie Mullins.

The Closutton chief broke the century-barrier in 2024 and now has 103 Festival winners on his incredible CV.

Mullins' personal tallies in some recent years are enough to match or defeat the British training ranks alone and his domination of the jumps scene doesn't seem likely to end any time soon.

Ireland set for further glory

It should be another year of Cotswolds success for Ireland, as the odds for Prestbury Cup success are just about right and it's hard to see anything but an Irish triumph.

Britain has a fine team of challengers, however, and it should be a close battle this time around.

Expect the home team to reach double figures with some comfort and perhaps set their best total since 2019 when they shared the Prestbury Cup.

BoyleSports Destination Cheltenham Offer