Is Britain set for another pasting? How we see this year's battle playing out

Irish trainers dished out a 23-5 drubbing to their British counterparts at last season's Cheltenham Festival and bookmakers are bracing themselves for further dominance this year, going just 1-9 that the Prestbury Cup is again won by Ireland.

It was not just the powerhouse yards of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead that contributed to the haul 12 months ago as Gavin Cromwell (two), Noel Meade, Paul Nolan, Emmet Mullins, Peter Fahey and even greyhound trainer Paul Hennessy got in on the act. Indeed, the final standings could feasibly have read 24-4 had odds-on Marsh Novices' Chase favourite Envoi Allen not fallen.

Chantry House obliged for Nicky Henderson in that race and stablemate Shishkin, along with Vintage Clouds, Sky Pirate and Porlock Bay, were the only other British-trained horses in the winner's enclosure across the four days.