'If you wanted to compete with the Irish you had to go and do it - and everyone has upped their game'

The gap between Britain and Ireland is closing according to former jockey Jerry McGrath, who believes the home side will have plenty of success at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Irish team, predominantly led by champion trainer Willie Mullins, have won the Prestbury Cup in eight of the last nine years, with the outcome of the 2019 festival being a tie after each country won 14 races.

You have to go back to 2015 for the last time Britain edged their rivals at Cheltenham, but McGrath, who rode two winners at the festival for Nicky Henderson and now sources horses for the Seven Barrows trainer, believes the hosts will hold their own this year.