The Prestbury Cup |
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Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th March 2026 |
The Prestbury Cup has become one of the defining subplots of the Cheltenham Festival, and heading into this year’s meeting it once again provides a compelling narrative alongside the championship races themselves.
Ireland arrive as defending champions and, on recent evidence, deservedly so. Their dominance in the Cup has mirrored their growing strength at the Festival, with depth in every division and an extraordinary ability to target races with precision. Year after year, Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead have supplied the spine of a team that travels strongly, jumps slickly and finishes relentlessly up the Cheltenham hill.
That said, Britain will feel there are reasons for renewed optimism. The home side has not lacked talent in recent seasons, but this year there is a sense of momentum building behind a number of key contenders. Strong domestic form lines, a handful of improving novice chasers and a deeper-looking staying division all offer hope that the gap can at least be narrowed, if not overturned.
Much may hinge on the opening two days. Traditionally, the Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase have set the tone for the week, and British-trained runners appear better equipped than in some recent renewals to strike early. A fast start would not only be significant numerically, but psychologically vital in keeping the contest alive.
Ireland, however, look formidable in the middle-distance and staying races, with strength in depth that allows them to dominate even when favourites underperform. The handicaps, once a British stronghold, have increasingly tilted Irish in recent years, and that battleground could again prove decisive if the visitors begin to rack up points in clusters.
The amateurs’ and conditional riders’ races may also play an important role. Ireland’s traditional strength in these events has often been decisive in stretching leads late in the week, while Britain will hope that familiarity with the track and tactical nous can redress the balance.
Ultimately, the Prestbury Cup rarely turns on one result alone. It is shaped by consistency, by strength in numbers and by the ability to deliver across four demanding days. Ireland start as clear favourites once more, but if Britain are to reclaim the Cup, or even mount a sustained challenge, they will need early strikes, a strong showing in the championship races and a reversal of recent trends in the handicaps.
What is certain is that, as the Festival unfolds, the scoreboard will be watched almost as closely as the racing itself, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already unmissable week at Cheltenham.
