IT WOULD BE too much to expect the 2014 Cheltenham festival to surpass or even match last year’s record-breaking success for Ireland.

Fourteen winners from nine different trainers meant that this country supplied more winners than the hosts for the first time in the festival’s history.

However, while this year is unlikely to yield a similar windfall, there are still more than enough Irish raiders to make it a good festival for those on this side of the Irish sea.

With that in mind, we take a look at three leading Irish challengers on each day of the four day festival.

Tuesday

Ruby Walsh and Hurricane Fly celebrates winning. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Supreme Novices Hurdle – 1.30pm

Vautour – Would there be a better way to get the party started than with a winner in the first? With Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins involved, this ex-French horse is the one to beat.

Champion Hurdle – 3.20pm

Hurricane Fly – He may never have been at his best at Cheltenham and the runs this year haven’t set the world alight but you’d be a fool to bet against the Fly winning Tuesday’s big race for the third time.

OBLG Mares’ Hurdle – 4.40pm

Quevega – The Queen of Prestbury Park is aiming for six wins on the bounce. If there’s such a thing as a sure thing at this year’s festival, it’s Quevega.

Wednesday

Can Carlingford Lough win the RSA chase? Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Neptune Hurdle – 1.30pm

Faugheen – Willie Mullins has won this race twice and the highly rated Faugheen has yet to taste defeat. Red Sherlock is likely to be the strongest challenger in a weaker than expected renewal.

RSA Chase – 2.05pm

Carlingford Lough – Perhaps AP McCoy’s best chance at the festival, the seven-year old will love the ground and offers good value at 8/1 with Ballycasey likely to go off favourite.

Champion Chase – 3.20pm

Sizing Europe – There really isn’t much going for the Irish horses in the feature race on Wednesday but former winner Sizing Europe will benefit from the absence of Sprinter Sacre and challenge for a place. The winner will likely come from elsewhere though.

Thursday

Ruby Walsh on Annie Power. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

JLT Novices’ Chase – 1.30pm

Felix Yonger - Another Mullins contender and one with course form in the book having finished second in the Neptune two years ago. Solid form all year and the improving ground is expected to help.

Ryanair Chase – 2.40pm

Benefficient – After winning the Jewson in 2013, the eight-year old’s festival claims were further boosted by winning the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet at Leopardstown in December.

World Hurdle – 3.20pm

Annie Power – There are question marks over her ability to succeed at this distance but the simple fact is, if she stays she wins.

Friday

Will Bobs Worth regain his title? Dan Rowley / INPHO Dan Rowley / INPHO / INPHO

Triumph Hurdle – 1.30pm

Guitar Pete – The former flat horse has beaten the other Irish hope Tiger Roll already this season and has four wins from six over hurdles.

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle – 2.40pm

Briar Hill – There isn’t a horse carrying more hype into Cheltenham than Briar Hill despite laboured performances in recent wins. Still though, it’s hard to see the winner coming from anywhere else.

Gold Cup – 3.20pm

Last Instalment - Michael O’Leary’s contender looks to be the only realistic challenge to defending champion Bobs Worth but unless there’s a little bit of give in the ground, he’s unlikely to run on Friday.

So that’s who we’ll be watching, what about you? Give us your tips in the comments below.

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