Punters go cold on British success with Ireland backed for Cheltenham triumphs

Punters have reacted to the suspension of racing in Britain by throwing their support behind Ireland at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

Bookmakers have reported support for Ireland in the Prestbury Cup – the competition between British and Irish-trained winners at the four-day meeting – with Irish representatives at the festival also individually attracting market support.

Ireland has won the last three editions of the Prestbury Cup and is 8-11 (from 10-11) for a fourth, with the potentially rushed pre-festival preparations for British trainers viewed as likely to hamper the chances of a home victory.

David Stevens, Coral’s head of PR, said: "Ireland was already narrow favourite to win the Prestbury Cup before the equine flu outbreak brought British racing to a halt this week, and unsurprisingly punters reckon this disruption has only strengthened the Irish challenge next month."

Ballycasey: backed for the Cross Country Chase at CheltenhamCredit: Patrick McCann

More specific bets have been struck too, according to SkyBet’s Michael Shinners, with punters seizing on recent efforts by runners in Ireland while British trainers reshuffle their packs.

Shinners said: "There's a lot more interest in the Irish horses at Cheltenham as well and we're thinking that a lack of prep run is a possible reason. A lot of the Irish horses have just run at the Dublin Racing Festival or are scheduled to run in Ireland soon.

"We've also seen punters backing Irish horses like City Island and Ballycasey. This is partly in anticipation of them shortening up for Cheltenham but possibly thinking that their British rivals may not get an ideal preparation as they have."

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