DOWLING'S CHELTENHAM COUNTDOWN: Elliott to lead the Royal brigade

In years to come when the history books of Ireland at the Cheltenham Festival are being compiled, they will be glittered with the green and gold of Meath.

The Royal County are steeped in tradition in the sport of National Hunt Racing, but Prestbury Park is where their leading stars seem to shine brightest.

The father and son duo of Tom and Jim Dreaper dominated the Gold Cup scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s winning six between them, whilst producing the greatest steeplechaser of them all, with Arkle.

Des McDonagh and Monksfield claimed Champion Hurdle glory in ‘78 and ‘79 throughout a golden era for the race, and the Moynalty handler is still producing winners from the fields of north Meath.

And what about the Geraghtys and the Carberrys, Tony Martin and Noel Meade, Meath riders and trainers who have shone so brightly on racing’s greatest stage.

Now the Royal County has a new brigade, spearheaded by the might of Cullentra House Stables and Gordon Elliott.

GORDON ELLIOTT

Elliott is the sixth most winning trainer in the history of the festival, collecting the leading trainer award in 2017 and '18 and now heads back to Prestbury Park with an army ready to take to battle.

He broke his Cheltenham festival duck in 2011 when Chicago Grey won the National Hunt Trophy under Derek O’Connor and just five years later, he was in racing utopia when Don Cossack won the Gold Cup.

He hasn’t won the 3m2f feature event since but that wait may soon be over as Galvin looks a live chance in this year’s renewal.

The Ronnie Bartlett owned gelding has a great record around Cheltenham, including last season’s National Hunt Chase. He took his career to new heights when landing the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, showing qualities needed to win a Gold Cup.

The Friday of this year’s festival is arguably the day where Elliott plays his strongest hand, highlighted by the chances of Pied Piper in the opening Triumph Hurdle, and Minella Crooner and Hollow Games in the Albert Bartlett.

But Elliot’s focus of the week may be on a different target, as Tiger Roll looks set for his final racecourse appearance. Should he collect on 16th March, it would be a farewell like no other.

American Mike will bid to become Elliott’s third Champion Bumper winner and looks primed to take on Facile Vega after a rampant display at Navan in December.

Ginto is another Noel and Valerie Moran owned gelding with strong credentials, with the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle looking his target. Zanahiyr will go for the Champion Hurdle while the Arkle is Rivier D’etel’s port of call.

Run Wild Fred looks primed for the National Hunt Chase while Buddy Rich, Dunboyne, Floueur and Top Bandit look to be leading handicap chances.

GAVIN CROMWELL

Cromwell was once a name feared in Ireland in the 1600s, but the tables have turned, and now when the British staying hurdlers see him coming, they begin to fear instead.

Last season a new star was born in Flooring Porter, when he charged up the hill to stayers’ hurdle glory, and although not having the best of season’s this time around, he looks the most likely winner of this year’s renewal, with plenty of question marks emerging around his enemies.

Last year’s Albert Bartlett winner Vanillier is looking like he is heading to the National Hunt Chase, while My Mate Mozzie, Gabynako and White Pepper are others likely to be seen over the course of the week.

His handicap hopefuls are a little in the unknown, but it could be interesting to see where Three Stripe Life ends up if getting a nice mark.

JOHN MCCONNELL

McConnell has five career winners to his name at Cheltenham, but none have ever come at the festival.

He came close last year with two thirds, Some Neck in the Cross Country and Streets of Doyen in the Albert Bartlett. He will be double handed in the latter this season with Bardenstown Lad and Mahler Mission set to do battle.

Bardenstown Lad has won at Cheltenham already this season back in October, and looks a very good stayer in a race where he is well capable of throwing his hat into the mix.

Roi De Dubai, Streets of Doyen, Innatendue and Meritorious are others who hold entries for the Stamullen trainer.

NOEL MEADE & TONY MARTIN

Noel Meade and Tony Martin bode six Cheltenham festival winners each, and both could be heading to Prestbury Park with a small yet very strong team.

Martin may head to Cheltenham with just one runner in the shape of Good Time Jonny, but if there is one trainer who is able to get a horse primed for a big race handicap, you need to look no further.

The Coral Cup looks his most realistic target, while he also is in the market for the Martin Pipe. He's been in tremendous form this season winning two valuable handicaps at Leopardstown’s marquee meetings, and should he head to Cheltenham, he is sure to be ready.

Meade’s most recent Cheltenham success came in last season’s Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle with Jeff Kidder, and Lunar Power looks to be heading for the same contest this time around.

Thedevilscoachman is another whom Meade may throw into a handicap, while Diol Ker looks set to go to the National Hunt Chase.

Beacon Edge and Idas Boy look the Castletown’s man main Grade 1 hopefuls for the week.

No matter what way you look at the Cheltenham card over the four days, you are bound to find a Meath connection somewhere.

Because racing is a Meath thing