Ireland V Great Britain At Cheltenham

With the 2017 Cheltenham Festival just days away we turn our attentions towards the Betbright Cup, which will see Great Britain and Ireland do battle for the coveted trophy, and it's Britain that has been installed as the red-hot 1/3 favourites with Paddy Power for the crown, while last year's champions Ireland are as big as 6/1 with BetVictor, with the draw available at 7/1 with bet365.

Willie Mullins has been an integral part of the impressive Irish tallies of late, but the master of Closutton will be unable to unleash such a strong team at this year's National Hunt extravaganza, with the likes of Faugheen, Annie Power, Min and Vautour just a quartet that will unfortunately not take their chance at Cheltenham between March 14-17.

So, with that in mind, we turn our attentions to both team's flag-bearers, and try to shed light on the sideshow event, which could provide a multitude of thrills and spills during the four-day event at Gloucestershire.

Great Britain (Team Captain — Phil Tufnell)

Great Britain unleash their ace in the pack early on day one of the Festival as the Nicky Henderson-trained Altior, as short as 1/3 with some firms, looks unbeatable in the Arkle Challenge Trophy, and he is sure to get a point on the board for Britain, who will have former England cricketer Phil Tufnell as their captain.

Last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero is the only odds-on shot for Britain, but they could well look to the likes of Moon Racer and Ballyandy to get them off to the perfect start in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle this year, while Buveur D'air and Yanworth will carry the strong British hopes in the Champion Hurdle later the same day.

Neon Wolf (Neptune), Might Bite (RSA Chase),Unowhatimeanharry (Stayers' Hurdle) and Defi De Seuil (Triumph) are just another quartet of classy performers heading their respective markets, while the home team also has a leading chance of taking the Blue Ridand event of the week, The Gold Cup, with either of Colin Tizzard's remaining pair Native River or Cue Card.

While the British team will hope for a number of Graded winners during the week, it's the handicap events that will see them rise to the top, and they can bag a handful of handicap hurdle and chase prizes over the four days, which should propel them to Betbright Cup glory.

Ireland (Team Captain - Hector Ó hEochagáin)

With a host of Mullins-trained hotpots not taking their chance this term the Irish challenge is sure to find it tough, with Douvan the only certainty amongst the Emerald Isle's battalions, as he looks simply too good for his rivals in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

As is usually the case the Irish will look to kick off the meeting on the front foot and Melon is a leading player in the Supreme, while Vroum Vroum Mag or Apples Jade (Mares) and A Genie In Abottle (National Hunt Chase) will be aiming to secure victories in their respective races.

Cantlow (Cross Country), Yorkhill (JLT), Carter McKay (Champion Bumper), On The Fringe (Foxhunters) and Death Duty (Albert Bartlett) are another star quintet heading the betting for their potential contests, but none are certain winners, and unlike years previously where a host of Mullins-trained runners have been looked bombproof, the Irish charge could lack not only those bankers, but also some significant strength in depth.

So, while the Irish are sure to pick up some notable handicap events during the week, with Gordon Elliott sure to play his hand in bagging one or two Irish-trained winners, it could be the British that dominate the winner's enclosure at this year's Cheltenham Festival, and it will be Tufnell that is holding aloft the Betbright Cup in the aftermath of the Grand Annual on March 17.

Bet365 are now offering non runner no bet on all Cheltenham Festival races (promotion courtesy of bettingoffer.com).

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