It’s one of the sporting rivalries that lights up The Cheltenham Festival every March.
The battle, officially titled The Prestbury Cup, is essentially a struggle between the major stables of Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Colin Tizzard and Nigel Twiston-Davies in the UK and the majestic twin powerhouses of Irish National Hunt racing that is Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot.
The Irish have come up trumps on nearly every occasion as the formidable partnership of Willie Mullins and charismatic owner Rich Ricci have produced some epic horses down the years including Faugheen, Douvan, Vautour and Annie Power.
Gordon Elliot has benefited from the affiliation with Gigginstown Stud, owned by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary to produce the likes of dual Grand National winning hero Tiger Roll, Gold Cup winner Don Cossack and a host of other memorable Grade One Festival winners.
The two big Irish trainers have also demonstrated an excellent record of producing the right horses for the Cheltenham Festival handicap events.
It’s been very tough for the British trainers to keep up with the onslaught of breath-taking talent that keeps coming over from the emerald isle.
We’ll take a look at the chances of both sides in the oncoming Cheltenham Festival 2020 and look at some of the markets and pick out the best bets from all the of the key trainers on both sides of the Irish sea.
The betting markets currently favour an Irish win for this year’s Cheltenham Festival and this is a good place to start.
BETTING FOR THE PRESTBURY CUP
Ireland odds on and it’s difficult to see any other result beyond this based on recent Festival performances.
IRELAND 4/7 (William Hill)
BRITAIN 13/8 (William Hill)
THE DRAW 6/1 (William Hill)
POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF LISTED RACES
To give us a clearer idea of which side of The Irish Sea the winners of The Prestbury Park will emerge, we’ll take a closer look at the listed races and single out the most likely winner.
CHAMPIONS DAY, 10TH MARCH
THE SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE, 1330 CHELTENHAM
Britain would appear to hold the aces with current favourite Shishkin (3/1, Betfair, Paddy Power) but the competition from Gordon Elliot and Willie Mullins is a considerable threat. They saddle Abracadabras (11/2 William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, Unibet) and Asterion Forlange (11/2 Bet365, Coral) who appear next in the betting respectively.
However, Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin has shaped up well in his prep races and looks set to get Britain off to a good start.
OUTCOME: Britain win
THE RACING POST ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY, 1410 CHELTENHAM
This should be a formality for Ireland who hold the first four in the betting and with favourites and second favourites having such a sweet record in this race. Notebook (3/1 William Hill, Bet Victor, Coral, Betfred) looks the likely winner for Henry De Bromhead.
OUTCOME: Ireland win
THE UNIBET CHAMPION HURDLE, 1530 CHELTENHAM
Nicky Henderson firmly flies the flag for Britain in this leg as Epatante (3/1 William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, Unibet) and Pentland Hills (6/1 William Hill) have looked like they have the ability to land this. Benie Des Dieux’s (7/1 William Hill, Unibet) rumoured participation certainly adds a touch of unpredictability to this fairly open race.
OUTCOME: Britain win
THE FESTIVAL MARES HURDLE, 1610 CHELTENHAM
This race is characterised by several prominent entries whose final destination is still a bit of a mystery. However, the Irish are dominating again here and this should be another formality especially so if Benie Des Dieux (Evens, Betfair, Paddy Power) decides this option.
OUTCOME: Ireland win
THE NATIONAL HUNT CHALLENGE CUP AMATEUR RIDERS NOVIVES CHASE, 1730 CHELTENHAM
Ireland hold the first two in the betting although the Paul Nicholls entry, Danny Whizzbang (16/1 Bet365), is held in high regard at Ditcheat.
OUTCOME: Ireland win
LADIES DAY, 11TH MARCH
THE BALLYMORE NOVICES HURDLE, 1330 CHELTENHAM
Envoi Allen from Gordon Elliot’s stable is all the rage here at 5/4 (Coral, Betfred) and the only British challengers being Thyme Hill (12/1 William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power) and Fiddlerontheroof (14/1 Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor) if they even turn up to this heat.
OUTCOME: Ireland win
THE RSA NOVICES CHASE, 1410 CHELTENHAM
Champ (7/2 Betfair, Paddy Power) for Nicky Henderson looks a solid favourite providing he’s recovered from his latest outing, falling at the last over course and distance on New Year’s Day. 
Plenty of interest in the others including Battleoverdoyen (14/1 Bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power) who will need to improve and Faugheen (14/1 Bet Victor) can never be written off as proved by his fantastic win at Leopardstown recently.
OUTCOME: Britain win
THE BETWAY CHAMPION CHASE, 1515 CHELTENHAM
Should be another win for the home team as the scene looks set for a classic dual between improving performer Defi Du Seuil (2/1 Bet365, William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, Coral, Betfred) and reigning champion, Altior (9/4 Betfair, Bet Victor, Unibet, Coral, Betfred). 
The Irish threat comes from Chacun Pour Soi (3/1 Unibet) who will need to improve but is a certainly a danger based on his 4 length defeat of Defi Du Seuil last April.
OUTCOME: Britain win
ST PATRICK’S THURSDAY, 12TH MARCH
THE MARSH NOVICES CHASE, 1330 CHELTENHAM
Ireland hold the first three in the betting with Nicky Henderson again holding the only viable opposition in the form of Mister Fisher (8/1 Bet365, William Hill, Betfair, Bet Victor, Unibet, Coral) who the looks the biggest danger to an Irish win.
OUTCOME: Ireland win
THE RYANAIR CHASE, 1450 CHELTENHAM
A very open renewal of the Ryanair Chase. 
The current champion Frodon (7/1 William Hill) holds very respectable claims for a successful defence of his crown and if Cyrname (12/1 William Hill, Unibet) turns up and produces anything like his Ascot form from the last year, then everybody will be running for cover.
Min (9/2 Unibet) is always a tough performer for Willie Mullins and A Plus Tard (9/2 Betfair) could also make the picture.
OUTCOME: Britain win
THE PADDY POWER STAYERS HURDLE, 1530 CHELTENHAM
Banker of the meeting, Paisley Park (Betfair 10/11), should ensure another British victory here.
OUTCOME: Britain win
GOLD CUP DAY, FRIDAY 13TH MARCH
THE JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE, 1330 CHELTENHAM
The British trained Allmankind (5/1, Bet365 ) and Goshen (5/1 Betfair, Paddy Power) are anticipated to fight this one out. A danger may come from the Henry De Bromhead trained Aspire Tower (7/1 Betfair, Paddy Power, Betfred).
OUTCOME: Britain win
THE ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES HURDLE, 1450 CHELTENHAM
Tough one to call. Thyme Hill (5/1 Bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power, Unibet, Betfred) has gone through the gears nicely this season for the Philip Hobbs yard and is a worthy favourite, however, the Irish challenge from Monkfish (8/1 Bet365, Bet Victor, Coral) and Fury Road (20/1 Boylesports) is enough to tip the balance in Ireland’s favour.
OUTCOME: Ireland win
THE MAGNERS CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP, 1530 CHELTENHAM
A fascinating battle between the two countries in one of the most open Gold Cups in recent times.
Current champion Al Boum Photo (9/2 William Hill) is solid in the betting and Delta Work (6/1 Betfair, Paddy Power) is improving with every race. 
Ireland clearly holding a good hand, however, the British have plenty of improving talent with Lostintranslation (7/1 Bet365, William Hill) and Santini (5/1 Bet365, William Hill, Betfair) whilst runaway King George winner Clan Des Obeaux (8/1 William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power) and former champion Native River (12/1 William Hill, Betfair, Bet Victor) will be looking to improve on last year’s excellent efforts.
OUTCOME: Ireland win
TOTAL WINS:
Britain: 7 Ireland: 7
OVERALL
It’s clearly a tight call over the listed races. The lack of odds on favourites in this year’s Festival makes for an interesting Prestbury Cup contest, with only Paisley Park likely to go off at a very short price.
However, the Irish are shrewd at picking the right handicaps for their horses and I think this is where the Irish will nudge it. But it’s closer this year than in any previous Festivals and taking the odds on for an Irish victory has a sight element of risk to it.
MORE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL!
- How To Bet on the Cheltenham Festival!
- How To Bet on Horse Racing!
- How To Win at Cheltenham Festival!
- Cheltenham Festival 2020 Betting Offers!
- Cheltenham Festival 2020 Events Page!
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (12:30 9th February 2020) and are subject to change.
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