Ireland won at Cheltenham - but the biggest winners were racing and the festival

The grim reality is that compared to this year's Cheltenham Festival, the United Kingdom has managed to get more points on the board at some recent Eurovision Song Contests – and that's even if we brazenly attempt to nick Galvin as a home team hero given he made a late switch to a stable in Northern Ireland.

Things had actually been going quite well midway through Tuesday. Following three races, the score was two to one in Britain's favour, which is a long way from 23-5 the other way round. The sight of Goshen struggling to run straight became a hint of what was to come. Fortunately, no race at the festival has a bigger trophy than the hunter chase and we still won that one. That must count for something?

It is inevitable, and indeed important, that British jump racing now enters a period of deep reflection. A distinction must, however, be drawn, because for British jump racing fans this was still an immensely enjoyable festival, albeit one that could not be experienced from the foot of Cleeve Hill.