Writen bysidhanta

[{"selector":"#anim-feab7f6f-95eb-4cfc-ada7-5c32dc087672 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.284090795523493%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] Irish trainers on course for another greenwash at Cheltenham Festival

Rivalry between Britain and Ireland is a friendly one but there will be knock-on effects if the visitors dominate again

[{"selector":"#anim-ad62fd85-b4dc-4568-86db-dfd5929025ff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(45.6534088105519%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

If any British racing fans had convinced themselves last year’s Cheltenham Festival was an aberration, that this year’s meeting might see British horses summoning up at least a little more resistance to their opponents from Ireland

[{"selector":"#anim-5c742ea3-8e42-43d1-a2e3-ddd77d2f8f8c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

On paper, it was one of the most tightly handicapped fields of the season: 21 runners from Britain against a sole challenger from Ireland

[{"selector":"#anim-6912bd82-bb13-4ba7-861c-6b3d6fa63364 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.93339755556636%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Even a decade ago, Ireland’s romp through the 2021 Festival was unthinkable. It was all but unthinkable as they went to the start for the opening race 12 months ago.

[{"selector":"#anim-ea9a41ea-8004-42f9-9022-6cb509772d77 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Paddy Power, never a firm to shy away from a patriotic price or two, chalked up “20 or more” at 9-1 and went no further than that.

[{"selector":"#anim-6c1e83fb-a2f2-4f05-aef3-3e0502c204d9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

The final result, 23-5, was a rugby score – if the match in question was Ireland v Italy. In hindsight, though, it was only the scale of Ireland’s superiority that came as any real surprise.

[{"selector":"#anim-5f729c22-2198-440e-a6d2-81b22345eea0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.12499989760315%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Britain’s jump-racing industry is much bigger and richer than Ireland’s in terms of horse population, total prize money and the number of races during the season.

[{"selector":"#anim-d884c56b-8142-48a7-97a9-56ecb49e4abf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

QB Mitchell Trubisky says he plans to sign two-year deal