IT is difficult to figure out why the Prestbury Cup, or the BetBright Cup, the ‘competition’ between Ireland and Britain at Cheltenham, is getting such bad press.

It is true that the lines of nationality can be blurred in horse racing. Remember Don’t Push It, 2010 Grand National hero? Owned by an Irishman, trained by an Irishman, ridden by an Irishman, wearing green, white and gold, yet he went down as a British Grand National winner?