Cheltenham Festival 2026: Latest Prestbury Cup Betting Odds
The Cheltenham Festival is famed for its iconic races, memorable moments and individual storylines.
However, there is also a matter of national pride on the line in the form of the Prestbury Cup.
With Ireland looking to extend their dominance and Britain desperate to end a long wait for glory, the stage is set for another compelling chapter in one of racing's great cross-border rivalries.
With the 2026 Festival just around the corner, Gambling.com has scoured the markets to provide the latest odds for one of the most fiercely contested trophies in the sport.
What Is The Prestbury Cup?
Named after the village closest to Cheltenham Racecourse, the Prestbury Cup is an annual head-to-head competition between British and Irish-trained horses across all four days of the Festival.
One point is awarded for each race won, with the nation that trains the most winners taking the trophy.
What started as something of a light-hearted subplot has evolved into a genuine contest - not to mention a popular Festival market with the best betting sites.
Ireland Dominate Recent History
Since its launch in 2014, the Prestbury Cup has been a tale of two eras.
Britain won the first two editions, including the inaugural 2014 contest by 15 wins to 12, but things have gone dramatically in Ireland's favour since.
After a three-year Irish winning run from 2016 to 2018 and the only tie in the competition's history in 2019, Ireland has been utterly dominant.
The 2021 renewal was the starkest illustration - Willie Mullins and company ran riot to claim a 23-5 victory.
Subsequent scorelines of 18-10, 18-10, 18-9 and 20-8 have maintained Ireland's stranglehold, leaving them 9-2 up in the overall standings heading into 2026.
2026 Prestbury Cup Odds
Ireland are odds-on favourites to make it seven wins in a row - and 12 consecutive Festivals unbeaten - at 1/7.
Great Britain can be backed at 9/2 to lift the trophy for the first time since 2015.
Meanwhile, if you think there will be a repeat of the 2019 tie between the two, that is available at 14/1.
Ireland's Formidable Hand
The Irish stranglehold on this competition owes much to Willie Mullins, who again arrives at Prestbury Park with a formidable squad.
Majborough, Fact To File, Final Demand, Lossiemouth and Dinoblue are among the headline names carrying Irish hopes, and that's before accounting for the strings of Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead, along with Gavin Cromwell's runners.
The depth of the Irish challenge makes their short odds entirely understandable.
Britain's Reasons For Optimism
Despite the odds, there is genuine belief among British supporters that 2026 could be a different story.
Dan Skelton is having the best season of his training career and arrives at the Festival in excellent form, with Madara, Kateira, Be Aware and Grey Dawning among his key contenders.
Nicky Henderson adds Grade 1 firepower through the likes of Jonbon, Jango Baie and Lulamba, while Paul Nicholls, Ben Pauling and Olly Murphy could all contribute to the British total.
Cheltenham Offers & Free Bets
With such a one-sided price on Ireland, the real value for punters may lie in exploring Cheltenham offers and free bets available.
Many bookmakers run enhanced odds, each-way specials and money-back promotions throughout the Festival week, making it an ideal time to shop around.
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday, March 10, to Friday March 13.
Will Ireland win another Prestbury Cup, or will this be Great Britain's year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below!
