If Cheltenham '99 has taught us anything it is that blind patriotism can be a costly business. But it's hard to believe that the Irish team will not end up in the winners' enclosure today.

As a Gold Cup support, it would be difficult to find a better race than the Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle, where Le Coudray and Sallie's Girl take on a home team that won't hear of defeat for Deano's Beeno or indeed Lady Rebecca. Take your pick.

The winning pick, though, can be Le Coudray. An expensive French import, he is the youngest in the race at just five, has run over regulation hurdles only once and is unproven over the trip.

All of which is to ignore his potential and the positive vibes that are positively fizzing from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle camp. If you believe them, then stamina is not a problem, it is in fact a strength.

The ante-post market would seem to support the view. There is also the fact that Le Coudray won his race at Naas with his head in his chest from a horse that is possibly the most improved in Ireland, Limestone Lad.

Le Coudray is the dark horse today, but it's worth betting he will be in the limelight afterwards.

Knife Edge and Afarad head a strong, four-horse Irish attack on the Elite Triumph Hurdle, a race that in the past specialised in throwing up 66 to 1 and 33 to 1 winners. In recent years, however, it has ceased to be such a punters graveyard, and although he is an unoriginal selection, the favourite, Katarino, really looks like he will take a lot of beating.

The 1996 Christie's Foxhunters Chase winner Elegant Lord returns for another tilt at the race, along with Tony Martin's Irish Stout. Both will fancy their chances given the prevailing view that the best of the English hunters have been transferred to the racecourse proper.

It could be inadvisable to read too much into that, and Caroline Bailey's Castle Mane is chosen in a race where it shouldn't pay to play too severely.

Space Trucker can get the Irish back on track in the Grand Annual which is hardly the best event of the week. Certainly for a former Champion Hurdle third, the opposition is not awe-inspiring, and with the ground predicted to continue drying out, it is all in his favour.

Space Trucker also appears to be quite well treated at these weights and ran a nice re-introduction behind Limestone Lad at Leopardstown 11 days ago. Jessica Harrington's charge looks worthy of investment.

The Racing Post Chase winner Dr Leunt will be difficult to beat in the Cathcart, despite having to give weight all around.

In the traditional getting out stakes, the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, expect Walk On Mix to run a good race, but slight preference in a very trappy race is for the Tote Trophy winner Decoupage.