Britain’s struggle to compete with Ireland at the Cheltenham Festival has been painfully clear in recent years. The Prestbury Cup, awarded to the nation with the most winners across the week, has been heading to Ireland for six consecutive renewals, including a 23-5 drubbing in 2021 and last year’s 20-8 defeat.
Yet as we look ahead to 2026, there’s genuine hope that Britain can narrow the margin. With Cheltenham Festival 2026 odds reflecting both Irish dominance and home hope, much of the focus is naturally on Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton. But there are several supporting trainers whose horses could make a meaningful difference.
Paul Nicholls: The veteran presence
It may feel strange to slot Paul Nicholls into the supporting cast, but that is the reality at Ditcheat. The 14-time British Champion Trainer boasts 50 Cheltenham Festival winners, yet recent seasons have seen a notable dip in success, including a drought between 2021-23.
This year, Nicholls doesn’t have a large team, but he has a couple of serious chances. No Drama This End is the current favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and could easily deliver a solitary win to his tally.
There’s also Tutti Quanti, who demolished the field in a Premier Handicap at Newbury and might be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle. At around 20/1 for the top-grade contest, he’s an outsider, but one that could surprise if he handles the step up in class.
Nicholls’ hand may be light, but his experience and selective firepower could prove vital if Britain are to make inroads against Ireland’s depth.
Ben Pauling: Punching above his weight
Ben Pauling’s yard is steadily growing in stature, and this might be his strongest Cheltenham representation yet. Most notably, he landed the King George VI Chase with The Jukebox Man for Harry Redknapp on Boxing Day. The eight-year-old now heads into the Cheltenham Gold Cup as one of the market favourites, a massive opportunity given Britain hasn’t claimed this prize since Native River in 2018.
Pauling’s Diva Luna also looks promising. Unbeaten in two starts over fences this season, she’s 12/1 for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase and could add a crucial supporting win to Britain’s Festival tally. While Pauling has a solid squad overall, the Gold Cup alone could define his week, and potentially make him one of the most important British trainers in terms of closing the Irish gap.
Others to note
Beyond Nicholls and Pauling, Britain has a handful of smaller yards who could make meaningful contributions. Emma Lavelle and Rebecca Curtis each have a representative in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and Gold Cup, respectively: horses like Ma Shantou and Haiti Couleurs keep the hosts competitive in these top events.
Jamie Snowden’s Wendigo looks a strong player in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at 8/1, while Sixmilebridge, representing Fergal O’Brien, could give the yard its first Cheltenham victory in the same race at 12/1, odds likely to shorten if the ground turns soft. Handicap and other feature races also provide opportunities, with Jagwar leading the market for the Ultima Handicap Chase for joint trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, and C’Est Different favoured in the Pertemps Network Final.
Taken together, these supporting trainers may not have Henderson or Skelton’s star firepower, but in a Festival where depth and opportunism often matter as much as marquee names, their contributions could prove decisive. For punters, understanding the full picture is vital, and a few well-placed Cheltenham predictions from these yards could make all the difference to Britain’s hopes of finally challenging Ireland in the Prestbury Cup.
