The prestbury cup latest score stands at 11-10 to Ireland after day three of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, a razor-thin lead in the 28-race head-to-head where 15 winners secure the trophy. That margin sets up a final push in which Great Britain is chasing a first outright Prestbury Cup win in eight years against an opponent with recent momentum.
Day three: Ireland 11-10
Britain struck first on Tuesday’s opening day, before the advantage swung to Ireland by the end of day three. The shift aligns with the broader recent record: since a 14-14 draw in 2019, Ireland has lifted the trophy on six consecutive occasions. The figures point to resilience on the Irish side that has repeatedly told over the week’s duration.
Prestbury Cup Latest Score Update
Launched in 2014 and named for the Gloucestershire village of Prestbury, the competition tallies Festival winners trained in Great Britain versus the Republic of Ireland. Britain dominated the early years, winning five straight editions from 2014 through 2018, before the deadlock in 2019. Ireland then seized control: 2020 (17-10), 2021 (23-5, the largest winning margin to date), 2022 (18-10), 2023 (18-10), 2024 (18-9, from a reduced 27-race card), and 2025 (20-8, capped by an 8-0 clean sweep on the final day that included a Gold Cup victory). The prestbury cup latest score in 2026 reflects that contested trend, with only one win currently separating the rivals. The figures point to the influence of Willie Mullins, an 11-time leading trainer at the Festival, as a decisive anchor of Ireland’s run.
| Year | Great Britain | Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 20 |
| 2024 | 9 | 18 |
| 2023 | 10 | 18 |
| 2022 | 10 | 18 |
| 2021 | 5 | 23 |
| 2020 | 10 | 17 |
Skelton, Mullins and Cheltenham sentiment
Fan sentiment at Cheltenham presents a nuanced picture. A new survey indicates 69% expect to support Team GB and 65% intend to cheer British horses more often, yet 61% would back an Irish trainer to maximise returns. Patriotism remains part of the theatre—63% say the Prestbury Cup makes them feel more patriotic and 54% describe the two-nation tussle as friendly and fun—while identity can blur, with 44% of racegoers saying they might acknowledge Irish heritage during the week. Trainer preferences are tight too: British handler Dan Skelton leads by a whisker as the fans’ pick for top trainer on 51%, with Irish powerhouse Willie Mullins on 49%. Symbols of shared rivalry have also appeared at the course, including a half-and-half scarf blending the Irish tricolour and the Union Jack, modelled by former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison. The figures point to pragmatic betting overlaying identity, mirroring a rivalry steeped in shared culture as much as competition.
At the Festival’s end, the Prestbury Cup is handed to the winning nation. With a one-win Irish advantage, the immediate question is which side lands the clinching threshold first. If that edge endures, the numbers point to a seventh straight Irish triumph since 2020; if Britain flips it, the wait for a first outright success in eight years would finally end at Prestbury Park.
