Great Britain v Ireland (The Prestbury Cup)
The Prestbury Cup at the Cheltenham festival is all about the rivalry between the British home team and the travelling Irish contingent. This takes place over 28 races with victory going to the side that surpasses 14 wins or more. The Prestbury Cup is named after the nearest village to the race course and is presented to the winning jockeys and trainers. Ireland have been victorious in the last two years, which included a complete 19-9 whitewash at the 2017 festival. Ireland again look to be bringing a formidable team over to defend their crown. So what are the key horses for each side?
UK
The home team look to have a stronger team going in compared to last year, so are likely to improve upon their 19-9 defeat. The latest Cheltenham 2018 betting online has them as the 5/4 second favourites with a tie at 10/1. The UK looks to be spearheaded by the Henderson team who have several favourites across festival week. The three who look to have the best chances are Buveur D’Air, Altior and Might Bite.
Buveur D’Air is the current 8/11 market leader who will be looking to defend his 2017 title in the Champion Hurdle. He has remained unbeaten since the 2016 Supreme novice when finishing 3rd behind his stablemate Altior. With many of his challengers having questions to answer he is a worthy favourite and is likely to take all the beating.
Next on the list is the previously mentioned Altior who is the current odds on 5/6 favourite for the Queen Mother, despite still not making an appearance this season. He has been regarded as possibly the most exciting horse in training and will be returning from a wind operation. Latest reports are positive from the stable and if he returns in the same form, he’ll be impossible to oppose.
The final home horse to note is the Gold Cup favourite Might Bite. It appears to be one of the most open renewals of the race, but one horse who has continued to get his head in front is Might Bite. He’ll go into the race as the 3/1 favourite and with other key contenders having disappointed recently such as last year’s winner Sizing John, he is a worthy favourite.
IRELAND
The Irish team looks to be as strong as ever, however several of the usual Mullins hotpots are looking unlikely to make the festival. On a positive note, Gordon Elliot looks to have his strongest team to date. Ireland are the 4/6 favourites to gain their third Prestbury Cup in succession. Mullins leading fancy looks to be Arkle bound Footpad. He is the current 6/4 market leader and has looked extremely exciting following his transition to fences at the start of the season. He has festival form having placed 4th in the 2017 Champion hurdle, so is likely to take all the beating.
The next horse to make the list has to be Apples Jade, who looks banker material as she continues to impress at the top level. She is returning to face the mares following her Christmas hurdle victory and it looks promising as long as she is in the same form. She will be looking to further enhance her record at the festival with a victory and a second in the last two seasons in the Mares Hurdle and triumph respectively.
The final Irish horse to make the select list is Samcro who is possibly the most talked about horse in training. He is the current 7/4 market leader for the Ballymore as he looks to extend his unbeaten run. The latest Cheltenham 2018 betting tips from many have him down as already past the post. With continued glowing reviews from Elliot he could just be the next future star of National Hunt racing.
With continued glowing reviews from Elliot he could just be the next future star of National Hunt racing.
