Horse Racing tips: Ruby Walsh’s 5 to thrive at Cheltenham on Saturday

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

Ruby Walsh has picked out his best bets ahead of an exciting day of racing at Cheltenham, which includes the latest qualifying race for the Paddy Power Millionaire Chase.

Speaking on the latest episode of our From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, our resident jockey-turned-pundit is backing Goshen to return to form in the big one at 3.00pm while he also has some more tasty tips for potential punters.

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1.15pm – Zanza

I like ZANZA. I tipped him the last day at Newbury when he beat The King Of May, and he’s up 7lbs from then. I just think he’s an improver, He was second to Allmankind before that at Warwick, and Allmankind went and won the Henry VIII last weekend at Sandown. He’s a novice, and he was well behind Eldorado Allen on his debut at Newbury but he has improved. He’s up to a rating of 145 – he was only rated 139 over hurdles but he’s a better chaser. I’m going to roll with him.

1.50pm – Al Dancer

I’m going with the favourite AL DANCER. He gave Master Tommytucker 6lbs when he beat him at Newton Abbot and he’s going to get 3lbs off him on Saturday. I thought he ran reasonably well in the Paddy Power. I actually think he’s more of a stayer than a speed horse but because he won the Betfair Hurdle people have it in their heads that he’s a two-miler. I think he’s crying out to go up in trip.

I know this is the same distance as the Paddy Power Gold Cup but you’re changing track – it’s on to the new course instead of the old course – and I think that will suit Al Dancer. He will get to travel far longer because its more of a stamina race and I think he’ll have the turn of foot at the end to beat this field.

2.25pm – Danny Kirwan

I like DANNY KIRWAN, and the step up in trip will bring about huge improvement in him. He looks a dour stayer and has ‘three-mile hurdler’ written all over him. He’s the one for me.

3.00pm – Goshen

Sometimes when juvenile hurdlers get out of juvenile company and go up against older, harder horses some of them aren’t capable of making the step up. The trends are there for everyone to see, and more don’t make the step up than those that do. But GOSHEN’s performance in last year’s Triumph Hurdle was just incredible and after Jamie Moore switched him out down the hill to the third last he put his foot on the accelerator. This horse just kept going, and going faster! He was going to win really impressively before he fell at the last and I believe he’ll win on Saturday.

The only danger for me is Song For Someone, but I wouldn’t be worried about Goshen’s runs on the Flat. If you look at Sharjah, who was second in last year’s Champion Hurdle, his Flat runs were worse than Goshen’s. Some horses are just better jumpers than they are flat horses. Goshen is one of those and I think he will be impossible to beat with 11st on his back, getting 6lbs off all the field. I would fancy him, even if he was giving these horses 6lbs.

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3.35pm – The White Mouse

I thought I had a unique one with THE WHITE MOUSE, but obviously I don’t after Frank Hickey also tipped her up! I’m kind of chuffed that he picked her out as well though. Eglantine Du Seuil going back up in trip is probably over-priced, but only as an each-way bet. I like The White Mouse.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham bet summary – Saturday, 12 December

1.15pm – Zanza
1.50pm – Al Dancer
2.25pm – Danny Kirwan
3.00pm – Goshen
3.35pm – The White Mouse

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