Irish-trained winners bet365: five 9/2, six 9/2, four 11/2, seven 11/2, 10 or more 7/1, three 8/1, eight 8/1.
Last year, Kazal was the only Irish-trained runner to make a place in the big four championship races when finishing third in the World Hurdle and the odds suggest they won't do much better this year.
Their best chances undoubtedly lie in the Champion Hurdle in which they could have as many as nine runners, headed by Sublimity (16/1 Victor Chandler) and Sizing Europe (20/1 Skybet). The latter, you may remember, was sent off 2/1 favourite last year and looked all over the winner coming to the second last, but a back problem caused him to jump the flight awkwardly and he was virtually pulled up. Things haven't exactly gone to plan this time round and, although reported to be "moving well again" by his trainer, he faces a stiff task in the face of a strong home challenge headed by Binocular, Osana and Celestial Halo.
Big Zeb (12/1 Paddy Power) is Ireland's big hope in the Champion Chase but, realistically, what chance has he got of beating Master Minded? Exactly! As for the Gold Cup, recent talk of watering the track won't encourage the connections of mud-lark Notre Pere, who has been well-backed ante post and is as short as 16/1 in places. On the other hand, good ground would enhance the World Hurdle claims of doubtful stayer Catch Me (33/1 Sportingbet).
Clearly, their best hopes lay outside the championship races, although they were dealt a blow by the recent withdrawal of Hurricane Fly, who would have gone off a warm favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Still, his trainer Willie Mullins has an able deputy in Cousin Vinny, who is now a general 3/1 favourite for that race, and a decent second-string in Kempes (16/1 Stan James), while recent Naas winner Go Native (10/1 Betfred) must also come into the reckoning. In fact, don't be surprised to see Cousin Vinny turned over by one of his bigger-priced compatriots.
Go Native's trainer Noel Meade has a poor record at the festival with just two winners so far, but plenty of his runners have performed creditably without winning and he looks to have good chances with Casey Jones (16/1 Blue Square), who has recently halved in price for the RSA Chase (for which Cooldine looks a beatable favourite), and Parsons Pistol, who could be a good each way bet in the four-miler as all he does his stay. Better ground would also help the Meade runner, who is a 16/1 shot with Victor Chandler.
The Irish will no doubt make their presence felt in the handicaps and bookmakers have already been running for cover after trainer Edward O'Grady (18 festival wins under his belt) gave the green light for Alexander Severus to take his chance in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle. The former Ballydoyle inmate, who dead-heated for a close third on his handicap debut last time, is now a clear 5/1 favourite (from 7/1) with Ladbrokes.
The same firm are taking no chances either with the Tony Martin-trained Psycho, who would surely have won last year's County Hurdle had he been ridden more positively and is a 8/1 shot this time.
And who would bet against the Irish winning the Champion Bumper for the 14th time in 17 runnings? Runners from the Emerald Isle dominate the betting and it must be long odds-on that one of Willie Mullins' plethora of entries takes the prize - but which one? The recent money suggests that Leopardstown winner Sicilian Secret (5/1 Coral) is their No.1 hope, but I'm sticking with my ante post pick Cadspeed (14/1 Totesport), and it's worth noting that Mullins' last two victories have been with horses that the market suggested were the stable's lesser lights.
With the Cross County Chase seemingly at their mercy again (won all four runnings) and some good chances in the staying novices, I can see them having six or seven winners this year.