Cheltenham Festival: The Irish challenge
THE Irish assault on Prestbury Park is part of what makes the Cheltenham Festival what it is – the highlight of the racing calendar.
Thousands upon thousands of visitors from the Emerald Isle will be making the journey across the Irish Sea and they will not be satisfied unless at least one jockey can carry the nation’s flag back into the famous winner’s enclosure.
It is fair to say the Irish challenge on the championship events is not as strong as it has been.
The Champion Hurdle is a race which the Irish have dominated having won seven of the last 10 renewals – although three of those victories came courtesy of the brilliant Istabraq.
Even this contest does not look straightforward for the Irish this season with 2007 winner SUBLIMITY currently head of the travelling team at 16-1.
And the old war horse BRAVE INCA could also have his say – and you couldn’t rule him out if it comes to a battle up the hill on testing ground.
County Carlow maestro Willie Mullins is enjoying a season to remember and despite the blow of losing a race against time t get Hurricane Fly fit, he has some strong candidates.
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