Don’t be too green when it comes to punting on Irish runners

‘When they bet on an Irish horse at Cheltenham, Irish fans are betting on national property, investing emotional as well as tangible currency’ – John Scally

“I am delighted to get off the mark at the Festival. I was sick of being referred to as a Cheltenham virgin at preview evenings.” - Tony Mullins after Pedrobob won the County Hurdle in 2007.

WE all love an Irish winner at Cheltenham, I mean it’s hard not to. But ever since Willie Mullins made the winner’s podium his own at Cheltenham the perception is that stacks of Irish winners is the norm. It wasn’t always this way and for decades Ireland was viewed more as a breeding ground for quality horses which were purchased and brought to England to become stars in the yards of top English trainers.

Trainers like Tom Dreaper, Dan Moore and Vincent O’Brien are credited as being the first to put a halt to the gallop that Cheltenham is an exclusively English affair.

The O’Brien trained Cottage Rake’s three Gold Cups in 1948, 1949 and 1950 is one that still jumps out at you from the history books. Fast forward to Arkle and the sprig of shamrock in his bridle as he stormed to victory on St Patrick’s Day in 1966 and you really start to ratchet-up the patriotism levels.

Many people still consider Arkle as Ireland’s first overseas sporting prodigy and it’s hard to argue against it. Add in Istabraq, Danoli, Imperial Call and Dawn Run and you’re suddenly left with a fusion of sentiment that tells you why a win over the ‘auld enemy’ at Cheltenham is always sweet.

The Prestbury Cup was put up a few years ago as a reward for the winner in the contest between Britain and Ireland. Its purpose serves nothing more than to stir up a little banter with two measures of sentiment and a splash of patriotism having always been the best Cheltenham mix.

However, it’s worth a word of caution when it comes to having a punt over Cheltenham. A beer shandy or two on St Patrick’s Day might make it feel like every Irish horse that enters the parade ring is a winner. Be prudent. Form sel- dom lies and it’s more reliable than emotion.

The English are strong handed this year and when you add in the loss of Willie Mullins’s major stars it suggests this might not be a record year for Irish winners. Feel free to back Irish horses to your heart’s content if that’s what you want.

But if you think a horse from an English yard has a better chance, don’t be swayed. Assess every race and horse on its own merits.

The permutations are complex enough besides being green about it.