Celebrate Irish success but don't gloss over worrying big picture

The annual two-nation battle between the best jumpers of Britain and Ireland finished in something reminiscent of a rugby score. Given Saturday's events at the Aviva Stadium, that seems wholly appropriate. Yet whereas Irish rugby fans are entitled to be euphoric, the case in relation to racing is not so straightforward.

What is not in doubt is this was a Cheltenham Festival of unprecedented success for Ireland, whose BetBright Prestbury Cup prospects were dismissed by bookmakers, although not by this publication's Bruce Jackson, who advised readers to back the raiding party at a general 9-2, as at two preview nights did BHA head of handicapping, Phil Smith.

Hotpots like Douvan, Death Duty and Melon were not needed as race after race was mopped up by horses trained to perfection and ridden by jockeys who returned to the sport's most coveted winner's enclosure carrying flags of green, white and orange.