NO-ONE knows the ups and downs of Cheltenham better than serial winner Ruby Walsh.
Out of the saddle and ready to watch with the rest of us, his expert eye for a horse is keen as it ever was and here the 59-time Festival winner shares his views on this year’s stars – and zooms in on the novices.
Fresh from the Dublin Racing Festival his thoughts turned to rides he would have relished in the Cotswolds.
“Galopin Des Champs is an obvious one in the Gold Cup after what he did at the weekend,” Walsh told Racing Ahead. “You’d have to think Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle, Dinoblue in the Mares’ Chase – there’s three that are all going to be favourite which you wouldn’t mind riding if you had a desire to be a jockey.”
But he’s also looking at the emerging challengers poised to make a breakthrough.
“It could be Sir Gino – the way he won on Trials day at Cheltenham, but even to look at him, he’s not your typical ex-Flat juvenile hurdler,” he added. “He looks a National Hunt horse – his size, he looks like a horse that could be a chaser down the line. Next year will be tricky for him, but I do think he’s a horse that, allowed to develop, could become a superstar.”
At Leopardstown, he was impressed by free-running Ballyburn, a massive fancy under Paul Townend for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: ”I think that’s how he runs – Paul said that he did get a bit keen maybe as they slowed down and they headed away from the third hurdle around the bend to the fourth hurdle and he was happy enough to take him back there.
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHARK'S GOT A BIT BETWEEN HIS TEETH
Alex Gifford reckons Hewick will be ready and refreshed for the National after his Gold Cup absence
THEY'RE BACKING LOSERS AND WE'LL PAY THE PRICE
Rolf Johnson blasts unelected officials meddling with gambling regulations while the 'impotent' BHA stand aside
THERE'S BOUNTI IN IT FOR BOUGHEY
Dave Youngman does the rounds on the gallops at headquarters and spotlights a promising new crop
SUMMER DAYS FOR ALL WEATHER TRIO
It's cash bonuses all round for the stars of rubber and sand, writes Ian Heitman
FOLLOW THE VAN
Paul Jacobs is keeping faith with Gavin Cromwell and last year's Grand National runner-up
IT'S SAFETY FIRST BUT NOBLE'S MY WINNER
Sky Racing frontman Robert Cooper casts a wistful eye back on old-school Nationals - but he's fixed on Yeats
GET SET FOR AN EASTER CRACKER!
Karl Hedley picks out runners and riders who can shine in the aftermath of Cheltenham
COR BLIMEY! WHAT A CRACKING CLIMAX
Ben Morgan looks to Cheltenham stars Slade Steel and Corach Rambler to star on Aintree's biggest day
BANBOU TAKES A BOW
Frero can top 'em in the Topham for Venetia Williams
DAWNING TO OPEN FOR IN-FORM DAN
Ben Morgan sees the Skelton brothers getting off to a winning start on Day 1