After months of anticipation, the waiting is almost over as the four-day extravaganza that is the Cheltenham Festival gets under way next Tuesday (11 March).

Twelve months ago, it was a truly remarkable meeting for Irish-trained runners, who notched up an unprecedented 14 victories. That tally will be hard to match, but hopes are high that the raiders will post another strong showing at Prestbury Park.

Central to the success of the Irish challenge will be Willie Mullins, who has a stunning array of talent to rely on. Obvious highlights for the trainer include Hurricane Fly’s bid for a third Champion Hurdle and Quevega’s quest for an incredible sixth triumph in the mares hurdle.

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In addition, Mullins has a powerful squad of novice hurdlers and chasers, while his compatriots also have plenty to look forward to in various events over the four days. One could make a case for quite a few of the Irish representatives and the following quintet could help to make it both an enjoyable and profitable meeting.

Sure Reef (Willie Mullins)

Willie Mullins has several high-profile novice hurdlers to rely on, but his second and third strings in various events will also command the utmost respect. This gelding has a variety of engagements next week and will be worth following, whatever direction he is pointed in. He did very well on just his third outing over hurdles to win a Leopardstown Grade 2 in January. He can only progress further and the demands of Cheltenham will play to his strengths.

Bayan (Gordon Elliott)

Over the last twelve months, this five-year-old has made relentless progress under both codes. Already a four-time scorer over jumps, he showed good form to win the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel and finished second in a useful event at Cheltenham in November. He could yet have more to offer over hurdles and looks a strong contender for the Coral Cup.

Killultagh Vic (Willie Mullins)

The champion trainer has a particularly strong team to rely on in the bumper and, even though he may not be his yard’s first string, Killultagh Vic could give him his ninth win in the race. This Old Vic gelding produced a noteworthy effort at Naas last month when trouncing last year’s Cheltenham bumper third Golantilla. The Naas race is a particularly decent trial for Cheltenham and Killultagh Vic looks ideally equipped for the demands of next Wednesday’s event.

Rule The World (Mouse Morris)

A possible clash between Big Buck’s and Annie Power promises to make the World Hurdle one of the highlights of the week, but another runner to consider is Rule The World.

After fracturing his pelvis last April, he has made an excellent recovery and looked back to his best when winning a Grade 3 in good style at Naas in January. A step up to three miles on decent ground next week promises to be ideal and a strong showing is expected even though he will need the performance of his life to get closely involved.

Minella Foru (Eddie Harty)

After winning a Grade 3 at Navan earlier in the season, this lightly raced novice hurdler has since come up short in better contests. However, his recent third to Real Steel at Naas was encouraging and he will surely improve for what was his first run in 85 days. In terms of experience, he will be at a disadvantage, but if connections point him in the direction of the County Hurdle he has the capacity to run a big race. CL