The first three home in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup were all trained in Ireland, and all three will be heading to the race again in 2022, barring any unforeseen injuries.

Those runners, plus others from Ireland look set to form a very strong hand for the race, and with limited options from Britain, are we set to see Irish dominance again in the feature race of the biggest National Hunt horse racing festival?

Four of the top five in the ante-post betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup are trained in Ireland, so according to the latest horse racing odds, there doesn’t appear to be much from Britain to challenge. Of course, there is time for this to change, but as we go into the new National Hunt season, unless a horse surprisingly emerges in the Britain, the betting suggests that not only will the Gold Cup return to Ireland, but another race where the first three home are all trained in Ireland is certainly possible.

Who are the main contenders?

The obvious starting point is Minella Indo, a horse who won the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup and starts the new season as the antepost favourite to win the race again. Although not the clear best overall when you look down the runners, he loves Cheltenham and has run really well there before, while also showing he’s the perfect Gold Cup horse last season.

A Plus Tard was second in the race, and there was doubts over his stamina going into the contest, but he showed that he can get home in a Gold Cup, and has to be feared again this season. Third placed Al Boum Photo had won the Gold Cup in 2020 and in 2019, so was aiming for the hat trick last season, but could only finish third. He is likely to be given a different path to the race this season, with more racing involved, so he will be able to show his credentials a little more.

Is there a British challenger?

If a horse can emerge from Britain then it is likely to be Chantry House, trained by Nicky Henderson. He won the Marsh Chase at the 2021 Festival, a race in which Envoi Allen fell early, leaving it wide open.

There are two question marks hanging over him, which he will have to answer early in the new season if his chances of winning the Gold Cup are to be enhanced. The first is what he actually beat at Cheltenham, with Envoi Allen scaring away some of the competition from the field that day.

Secondly, he has to prove he stays, the Gold Cup trip is more than half a mile longer than the Marsh Chase trip. Yes, he will have strengthened since that run, and have more experience, but at the same time, until he can be a serious Gold Cup contender, he really needs to show his ability over at least three miles, if not further.