Don’t expect Irish bonanza in Cotswolds, warns Ruby
AFTER a record 19 Irish-trained winners last year, Ruby Walsh has warned against expecting another Irish bonanza at the Cheltenham Festival next week.
‘I never thought I’d see 19 Irish winners at Cheltenham. Could I see it happening again?
‘In Buveur D’Air, Altior, Sam Spinner, Might Bite — there’s the four big championships races without an Irish favourite,’ observed Walsh yesterday.
Walsh, 39, will return to ride competitively today at Thurles after recovering from a broken leg in the nick of time for Cheltenham.
‘It was close, but I could have ridden last weekend if it hadn’t been for the snow. In 2011, I came back from a broken leg at Down Royal just in time for Cheltenham too,’ he said.
The 12-time leading jockey at the Festival said he’d have no problems going to Cheltenham ‘without a run’ as riding is as much about tactics as being fit enough. The Kildare pilot is eager to land running next Tuesday as he seeks to add to his 56 wins, 20 years after his first.
He has has a raft of calls to make, notably between Min and Douvan in the Champion Chase, and also the Willie Mullins quartet of runners in the Gold Cup.
‘Douvan has not run in 12 months, while Min has been first past the post in his three races. It’s a difficult one,’ he said. ‘I’d love to ride a Gold Cup winner for Willie. Total Recall is improving, Killultagh Vic lacks experience while I thought Djakadam would have won a Gold Cup by now. ‘Sizing John is a forgotten horse in the race while Might Bite could be one of the greats. His RSA win last year, when he stopped, and got going again, was immense.’ In the Champion Hurdle, Walsh is set to hook up with Faugheen, the 2015 winner. ‘He’s blown out twice since his run in the Morgiana Hurdle but I believe he’s still the pick of Willie’s runners.’ He reckons Laurina could be his banker in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. ‘We’re not big on short-priced favourites but we’re happy with her.’ Walsh (pictured) paid tribute to Vroom Vroom Mag who will miss the Festival and has been retired. ‘She was a great mare to ride, very versatile and with a great attitude,’ he said. Walsh spied Samcro on the Curragh yesterday and placed Gordon Elliot’s Cheltenham Festival fancy in the same company as Mikael d’Haguenet, Vautour and Douvan. ‘I saw Samcro on the gallops. If he was on Willie’s [Mullins] team next week, you’d be walking into Cheltenham with your chest sticking out,’ purred Walsh. Samcro is a warm favourite for Wednesday’s Ballymore Properties Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs and Walsh can’t look past the Elliott ace. ‘His form is absolutely rock-solid. He looks like a Vautour or Douvan,’ he said.