How team Ireland will overcome Covid and Brexit challenges to make the festival

Since the immediate post-war era of Prince Regent, Cottage Rake and Hatton's Grace, what has marked out the Cheltenham Festival in the British jumping calendar from all others has been the ferocity and passion with which Irish-based trainers and owners have targeted the meeting.

Put simply, the festival without significant Irish participation would be a very pale imitation of the real thing. In the era not only of Covid-19 but also of Brexit, moving large numbers of horses and humans between the two countries for a sporting event has presented significant logistical and public health challenges.

Yet come they will, although only as a result of a huge desire on the part of the racecourse and racing administrators in both countries to clear every conceivable obstacle.