Irish To Dominate At Cheltenham

Irish trained horses look set to continue their dominance at the up coming Cheltenham Festival. Last year horses trained in Ireland won 19 of the 28 races at the Festival; thanks in no small part to the contributions made by leading trainers Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins who recorded six winners each.

The pair have once again carved up the majority of domestic Graded races between them this season and will head to the Cotswolds in a forthnight's time will enviable firepower. Most of the 'Irish Bankers' represent Mullins and Elliott with the likes of Getabird, Footpad, Apples Jade and Samcro expected to be sent off as short-priced favourites for their respective races.

Mullins will also saddle a number of high-profile contenders during the week that have previous winning form at the Festival including — Faugheen, Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Yorkhill and possibly Penhill.

Elliott doesn't have as many star names as Mullins to call upon but he is not short on ambition and will be eager to better last year's impressive tally. He has entered a staggering 19 horses for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle which he won last year with Champagne Classic.

Besides the big two Irish trainers, Jessica Harrington notched up three winners herself at Cheltenham last year including the heroic victory of Sizing John in the Gold Cup. Harrington's string are back firing on all cylinders following a quiet spell around Christmas and she is sure to produce her select band of runners in peak form again.

Noel Meade, Henry De Bromhead, Pat Kelly and Alan Fleming all trained a winner a piece for Ireland at last year's Festival and will all be eager to repeat the success this year.

Enda Bolger is sure to mount a strong challenge in the Cross Country and Amateur races while the likes of Joseph O'Brien, Tony Martin and Charles Byrnes will also be keen to get their names on the scoresheet.

Mouse Morris and Ted Walsh are two other Irish trainers that are capable of producing their horses at their peak for the big days and runners from either yard at Cheltenham deserve a second look.

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