After months of conjecture, speculation and anticipation next Tuesday will see the Cheltenham Festival get underway, and over the course of the four days the season’s burning questions will be answered.

Twelve months ago Irish-trained horses enjoyed a meeting like no other and hopes are again high of a strong showing from the raiding party with both Willie Mullins and his great rival Gordon Elliott set to be well represented throughout the week.

Between them the pair sent out a dozen winners at last year’s meeting and a similar haul for both is entirely possible while Jessica Harrington, Henry de Bromhead and Pat Kelly are others that will head to Prestbury Park with every chance of making their mark.

In several of the week’s championship events, Irish horses look up against it. Firstly Buveur D’Air is impossible to oppose as he bids for a second Champion Hurdle triumph while Altior’s recent comeback at Newbury would indicate that his rivals face a daunting task as they try to lower his colours in the Queen Mother.

A peak form Douvan would be more than a match for Nicky Henderson’s charge but it is surely asking a lot for him to turn out at the peak of his powers for his first run in exactly a year.

Bright prospects

Things look brighter later in the week though with Un De Sceaux again boasting impeccable claims in the Ryanair Chase. Meanwhile Supasundae’s defeat of quality two milers last time makes him a worthy Stayers Hurdle favourite. His form over shorter trips suggests that he could just be a class apart from his rivals next Thursday although soft ground is a concern for him.

Easily the most interesting puzzle is the wide open Gold Cup. Last year’s hero Sizing John has to bounce back from a rare below par effort at Christmas, the miracle horse Edwulf will be bidding to follow up his Irish Gold Cup heroics while the rock solid Road To Respect boasts fine credentials.

In addition Willie Mullins will field a fascinating array of horses – Killultagh Vic, Total Recall, Djakadam and Bachasson – as he bids for that elusive first Gold Cup.

However, the answer to chasing’s holy grail could lie with Jessica Harrington and Our Duke.

Last season’s Irish National winner was miles below his best on his comeback but a recent Irish Gold Cup fourth followed by a Red Mills Chase victory have been most encouraging.

He looks like a horse who is building towards a major effort in the Gold Cup and he has class and stamina in abundance. An error-free round of jumping could make him the one to beat next Friday.

Ones to watch

Over the four days Willie Mullins will field a myriad of well-fancied runners and among those to watch out for are the Supreme Novices Hurdle favourite Getabird who was brilliant in his warm up race at Punchestown two months ago.

The unbeaten novice Footpad is a worthy favourite for the Arkle but old foe Petit Mouchoir will give him quite a test. The hugely exciting Hollowgraphic might well be the pick of the Mullins runners in the Bumper while it is impossible to look past Laurina in the Mares Novice Hurdle.

Elsewhere Mr Adjudicator is a lively Triumph Hurdle contender and the Grade 1-class novice hurdlers, Whiskey Sour and Duc Des Genievres, will be worth following closely wherever they go.

Meanwhile Gordon Elliott is set to saddle two of the shortest priced favourites of the week in Apple’s Jade and the stellar talent that is Samcro and neither can be opposed.

The stable stalwart Causes Of Causes must have every chance of another cross country victory and the trainer’s Glenloe will be a popular choice in the Pertemps Final.

The Kim Muir hopeful Squouateur, Jury Duty in the four miler and Sire Du Berlais in the Martin Pipe are among other potential winners for the stable.

Kelly's star

The canny Pat Kelly could easily strike at the Cheltenham Festival for the third year in succession with the top class Presenting Percy who is a very solid favourite for the RSA Chase.

Henry de Bromhead has a number of decent chances and one of his most appealing contenders is the Chris’s Dream in the Albert Bartlett. Lastly watch out for Burning Ambition who could give Wexford trainer Pierce Power a winner with his first Cheltenham runner in Friday’s Foxhunters.