Where do the problems lie for Britain? Professionals have their say

A gulf in quality, prize-money levels, the handicap system and even race tactics have been put forward as just some of the reasons why Ireland totally dominated at last week's Cheltenham Festival.

With just five winners on the festival board compared to 23 for Ireland, the debate into why horses trained in Britain were comprehensively outgunned by their Irish counterparts began before the action at Cheltenham had even finished and is likely to rage on for months to come.

The majority of failings appear to be linked to the faltering prize-money levels in Britain, according to professionals, with British-based owners increasingly opting to send horses to trainers in Ireland where the prize-money on offer is more generous.