TWISTON'S SHOUTE

Brits ready to compete with Irish

- Neil Squires

SAM TWISTON-DAVIES believes the English will give Ireland a run for their money at this week's Cheltenham Festival.

The Prestbury Cup has been Irish property for the past decade with the likes of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry De Bromhead dominant.

Of the past 10 instalments run across the four days of the Festival, Ireland have won nine, including last year’s one-sided affair 18-9. The other - in 2019 - was a 14-14 draw.

The bookmakers have the Irish as overwhelming favourites to continue their dominance but Twiston-Davies (above), an eight-time winner at the festival, feels predictions of a greenwash this time are misplaced.

"There’s a lot of good English runners this year and a lot of chances.

"I don't think it will be quite the given conclusion that some people are saying," he said.