Structure dictates who will jump for joy at Cheltenham

The Irish have won the Prestbury Cup in each of the last five years, showcasing the decline of British racing. Don't expect this week's festival to be any different

- Michael Jones

In March every year jockeys, trainers, owners and fans flock to Prestbury Park for the ultimate horseracing show as the Cheltenham Festival brings the National Hunt jump racing season to a thrilling conclusion.

It’s a four-day showcase of the best horses and jockeys jostling alongside one another for pride, prestige and the adulation of the watching crowd.

Each day there’s a champion race, with Tuesday hosting the Champion Hurdle, Wednesday the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Thursday the Stayers’ Hurdle and Friday culminating with the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Every jockey, owner and trainer tailors their season to peak at the festival and throughout the week there’s a good-natured rivalry between those from Ireland and Great Britain to see who performs strongest.

But in recent times, it’s been no contest at all.

The last decade has been dominated by Irish winners, all trained by some of the legends of the sport such as Willie Mullins, who scored a landmark 100th winner at Cheltenham last year, and Gordon Elliott, who has trained Grand National winner Tiger Roll and Gold Cup champion Don Cossack.

The Prestbury Cup is the annual award competed for by the British and Irish trainers. Whichever nation secures the most winners over the four days wins the trophy. Since it became an official part of the festival in 2014, Ireland has won it eight times, Britain twice and there was a lone draw in 2019.