Irish occupy British territory as Blackmore and De Bromhead reign supreme

There's an old gag about Ireland's most important jumps fixture taking place in Gloucestershire that found some renewed meaning this season. For four days in the Cotswolds, British racing was green with envy.

Come Punchestown, Paul Nicholls would mastermind the restoration of some semblance of respectability, and the fluid nature of the Anglo-Irish rivalry was further illustrated in the Irish finale when British horses departed with four of the 40 winners, just one shy of their haul on home soil at the Cheltenham Festival.

Sam Twiston-Davies salutes to the cameras after Clan Des Obeaux's triumph in the Punchestown Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It is a multi-faceted and nuanced issue, but there was no denying the introspection that followed the Prestbury Park obliteration.