THE numbers were 17, 23, 18 and 18. These were the previous winners’ hauls of Irish-based trainers at the Cheltenham Festival in the lead-up to the 2024 meeting. Would anything change this year? Could Britain win the ultimate prize in racing: the Prestbury Cup?

Well, we all knew the answer was no before things started, but a 1-2-3-4-5 in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle certainly reminded us of this fact.