Irish smiling at start of big week

Ireland made a great start to Cheltenham Festival week yesterday with a victory for the Dessie Hughes stable plus the legendary name Tom Dreaper in the winner’s enclosure at Stratford.

It was first blood to the Irish and favourite-backers as the Hughes-trained Cupla Cairde just prevailed under Paul Carberry in a thrilling finish to the Gen Re Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.