Bar a draw in 2019, since the Festival moved to 28 races in 2016 every other year has been an Irish success. But former champion trainer Paul Nicholls is among those who think it might not be one-way traffic this season. “Nicky (Henderson) has got a good team of horses and I’ve got some nice chances and there’s all those good young trainers that have probably worked for me or for Nicky that are doing really well,” said Nicholls. “I think things are going to be totally different and probably over the next few years. “I realise how good the Irish are and I’m a huge fan of Gordon’s (Elliott), of Willie’s and of Henry’s (de Bromhead).

Source: The Herald March 05, 2026 15:04 UTC