Ryan McElligott gives his verdict on the Irish challenge on day four at Cheltenham 2010.

Carlito Brigante could help to make the concluding day of the 2010 Cheltenham Festival a memorable one for Gordon Elliott with the much improved four-year-old taken to come out on top in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

He has gone from strength to strength since being switched to hurdles and comes into this race off a highly impressive win over Alaivan at Leopardstown over Christmas before landing the Scottish Triumph Hurdle at Musselburgh last month.

A progressive sort, who also brings with him plenty of experience from his time on the flat, he should relish the prevailing ground.

This race hasn't been a particularly successful one for Irish horses in recent years but this year's renewal has attracted quite a strong raiding party.

Alaivan, despite being well beaten by Carlito Brigante when not at his best, heads the market following his impressive success in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 several weeks ago.

His hurdling victories have been achieved on testing ground but he did show up well on quick ground on his last debut last year.

Pittoni lost his unbeaten record to Coole River in a Navan Grade 2 last time where he faced no easy task in trying to take on his elders under a Grade 1 penalty.

He shouldn't be underestimated while Secant Star is a horse of considerable promise for the future. He has relative inexperience to overcome but his considerable talent could allow him to run a big race.

Elliott could also have a major say in the second running of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

On his MCR Hurdle third the Willie Mullins-trained C'Est Ca would appear to have a very strong chance but it could just be worth taking a chance that Elliott's Meath All Star is capable of better than he showed when scoring at Wincanton last week.

That victory enabled the Presenting gelding to pick up a penalty which has allowed him to creep in at the bottom of the weights - albeit in a very compressed handicap.

He is open to more improvement than many of his rivals and a typically strongly run race over this trip on good ground should suit him well. In addition he has the assistance of a very capable young rider.

Willie Mullins sets punters quite a poser in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle where he saddles four runners and one could make a case for each of the quartet. Quel Esprit makes a quick reappearance following an early fall here on Wednesday in the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle.

He was a leading fancy for that race and now tackles three miles which is likely to suit him well. Ruby Walsh rides him once again.

Arvika Ligeonniere doesn't boast form as strong or obvious as his stablemates but his second to Summit Meeting at Fairyhouse last month was shown in a positive light by the latter's strong showing in the Neptune on Wednesday.

Fionnegas ran very well last time to chase home Dunguib in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over two and a quarter miles which is probably a trip short of his best.

He is a likeable and progressive type who could do better still.

However the pick of the Mullins team could be Enterprise Park. He is unbeaten in three starts and has looked a horse of major potential.

In terms of experience he could be at something of a disadvantage with a number of his rivals and he hasn't run since Christmas while he has yet to tackle three miles.

On pedigree the trip isn't a concern for Enterprise Park and his record to date would suggest that he doesn't have any problem producing his best on his first run back from a break.

Furthermore he was most impressive in a fair novice hurdle at Limerick in December. The form of that race has worked out well while it is worth recalling that Weapon's Amnesty won the same race at Limerick last season en route to Albert Bartlett glory.

One could make a case for any number of the runners in a typically competitive renewal of the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle where Paul Nolan's Noble Prince gets the vote to succeed. He has yet to win over two miles and his victories over hurdles have come on ground slower than this but there are grounds for believing that he could play a major role.

He took the drop from three miles back to two in his stride when he ran a good third to Luska Lad in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran last month. There is better still to come from him over this distance and the switch to better ground could also aid his cause. He isn't badly treated here relative to his Irish rating and can overcome a lack of previous handicap experience.

Compatriots Tawaagg and Tarkari both arrive here with sound claims but a potential surprise package amongst the Irish runners could be the Galway Hurdle winner Bahrain Storm.

He made a mistake at a vital stage on his most recent start and with conditions to suit Pat Flynn's charge could run a very big race.

Cooldine will carry Ireland's hopes in the Gold Cup. He has yet to produce his best this season but is quite capable of stepping up appreciably on the form of his two previous runs this season.

The display he produced to run out an emphatic winner of last season's RSA Chase is still fresh in the memory and he should be able to challenge strongly for a place in the frame.

Selections: 1.30 Carlito Brigante (Nap) 2.05 Noble Prince (e/w) 2.40 Enterprise Park 4.40 Meath All Star