In an exclusive Daily Star interview the legendary jockey takes time out from guest editing the paper to nominate his biggest hopes for the four day extravanganza
Ruby Walsh has revealed his three big fancies for the Cheltenham Festival but reckons the meeting could be a bloodbath for punters.
The tapes go up on the four-day extravaganza three weeks on Tuesday and tickets are selling fast.
Walsh, who has ridden more winners (59) than anyone else at the Festival, believes this year’s event could leave punters licking their wounds.
He said: “I think finding winners will be really difficult. Most of the championship races are totally wide open.”
Walsh retired from riding in May 2019 after winning on Kemboy at Punchestown and has since made a seamless transition as a pundit for both ITV and Racing TV.
He agreed to become guest editor of the Daily Star for Saturday’s paper – and sat down with us to talk about this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
“I fancy Panda Boy in the St James’s Foxhunters Chase on the Friday. I do believe the Gold Cup course is made for him and he stays really well. He could be one that is flying under the radar.”
Walsh believes his old boss Willie Mullins has the answer to the Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the meeting.
“Thinking logically but not greedily, I fancy Majborough. I would like to recommend something a bigger price but he ticks all the boxes.
“If you asked me to pick one in a championship race that I had to ride then I would go for Majborough. His jumping doesn’t worry me. He was better in the cheekpieces at the Dublin Racing Festival and they made him concentrate. Marine Nationale (last year’s winner) is a danger and will be suited by better ground.”
Favori De Champdou in the Cross Country Chase is the other horse who Walsh thinks is a good thing. Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old was a good winner on Cheltenham Trials Day.
Walsh was also bullish about the Irish challenge for the Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in which Old Park Star is a warm ante-post favourite for Nicky Henderson.
“El Cairos, Talk To Talk and Mighty Park are all really interesting horses. Old Park Star won’t have it all his own way.”
“There is strength in depth with the Irish challenge and the odds on Willie Mullins to have at least eight winners are fair.”