The social sharing buttons have been hidden due to cookie preferences. Please allow functional cookies for this to work.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Ruby Walsh has spent the past weeks running the rule over the contenders at this year’s Cheltenham Festival – where Paddy Power is offering non-runner money back on all 28 races so there’s no risk of losing out if your pick withdraws.
As part of our special ‘Countdown to Cheltenham‘ podcast, Paddy’s resident jockey-turned-pundit has been offering his tips for a host of renewals including the four championship races – the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and the Gold Cup.
Ruby’s sharp insight can hopefully help you narrow down your selections as we edge tantalisingly closer to Festival week…
HONEYSUCKLE was better at Leopardstown than she has been at any stage in her career, although her first Hatton’s Grace victory where she beat Bacardys by a long way [at Fairyhouse in 2019] was a pretty dominant display as well.
I can understand why connections left Leopardstown in 2020 and decided to go to the Mares’ Hurdle, not the Champion Hurdle. Getting back up to beat Petit Mouchoir didn’t scream to me that you’re going to win the Champion Hurdle. But when you watch her this year in Leopardstown winning the Irish Champion Hurdle, absolutely trouncing Abacadabras, Saint Roi, Sharjah, Saldier and Petit Mouchoir… if you own her, train her or ride her, you would be thinking “yeah, let’s have a go at the Champion Hurdle”.
It has been a stop-start career for the supremely talented CHACUN POUR SOI. He’s a very, very good horse but he just has to go and deliver on the biggest stage at Cheltenham to be considered a great horse. I hope he gets the chance to do it. Chacun Pour Soi’s in great form and he looks the best in the field.
Based on your answers we think your ideal horse for the Champion Hurdle is:
Honeysuckle
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Epatante
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Goshen
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Abacadabras
Your opinions on football are rock solid, but we get the impression that you won’t want to stick to the obvious names when it comes to racing. This horse has a real chance at a decent price.
Sharjah
Your opinions on football are rock solid, but we get the impression that you won’t want to stick to the obvious names when it comes to racing. This horse has a real chance at a decent price.
Aspire Tower
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
Silver Streak
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
James Du Berlais
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do come true.
Saldier
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do come true.
Not So Sleepy
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do come true.
Share:
DON’T MISS
DON’T MISS OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
… THEN CHECK OUT ALL THE WINNERS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITH OUR FAST RESULTS
There has to be clashes and big names in every sport and the Stayers’ Hurdle division is lucky it has PAISLEY PARK and THYME HILL. All is set fair for them to go at each other for a third time this season at Cheltenham. It will be a really good race and it’s easy enough to see why people would be split.
Paisley Park’s struggle in last year’s race was probably a one-off but I think Thyme Hill is the most likely winner. I’ve been a fan of his and I fancied him in the Albert Bartlett last year so I think he’ll get his revenge.
It will not be straightforward, but AL BOUM PHOTO is the most likely winner. You may not want to back him now, but I would be getting on him before racing starts on Tuesday because if Willie Mullins gets on a roll at the Festival – and he’s got a lot of really well-fancied horses – he will be plenty short enough, whether the public get into him or not. If it goes the other way, you can always back him again, but if he rolls in then you will have missed the price.
*Paddy will be all over your telly box throughout the Cheltenham Festival sponsoring ITV’s live coverage from Prestbury Park – and you can get free and exclusive tipping columns EVERY DAY from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald here on PP News.
Cheltenham tips: Ruby Walsh’s antepost picks for 2021 championship races
Ruby's been busy casting his eye over Cheltenham's biggest races.
By Ruby Walsh / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago
The social sharing buttons have been hidden due to cookie preferences. Please allow functional cookies for this to work.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Ruby Walsh has spent the past weeks running the rule over the contenders at this year’s Cheltenham Festival – where Paddy Power is offering non-runner money back on all 28 races so there’s no risk of losing out if your pick withdraws.
As part of our special ‘Countdown to Cheltenham‘ podcast, Paddy’s resident jockey-turned-pundit has been offering his tips for a host of renewals including the four championship races – the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and the Gold Cup.
Ruby’s sharp insight can hopefully help you narrow down your selections as we edge tantalisingly closer to Festival week…
CHAMPION HURDLE
HONEYSUCKLE was better at Leopardstown than she has been at any stage in her career, although her first Hatton’s Grace victory where she beat Bacardys by a long way [at Fairyhouse in 2019] was a pretty dominant display as well.
I can understand why connections left Leopardstown in 2020 and decided to go to the Mares’ Hurdle, not the Champion Hurdle. Getting back up to beat Petit Mouchoir didn’t scream to me that you’re going to win the Champion Hurdle. But when you watch her this year in Leopardstown winning the Irish Champion Hurdle, absolutely trouncing Abacadabras, Saint Roi, Sharjah, Saldier and Petit Mouchoir… if you own her, train her or ride her, you would be thinking “yeah, let’s have a go at the Champion Hurdle”.
FULL PREVIEW: CHAMPION HURDLE ANTEPOST BEST BETS FROM RUBY WALSH
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
It has been a stop-start career for the supremely talented CHACUN POUR SOI. He’s a very, very good horse but he just has to go and deliver on the biggest stage at Cheltenham to be considered a great horse. I hope he gets the chance to do it. Chacun Pour Soi’s in great form and he looks the best in the field.
FULL PREVIEW: QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE ANTEPOST PICKS FROM RUBY WALSH
Questions
DON’T MISS
PADDY POWER STAYERS’ HURDLE
There has to be clashes and big names in every sport and the Stayers’ Hurdle division is lucky it has PAISLEY PARK and THYME HILL. All is set fair for them to go at each other for a third time this season at Cheltenham. It will be a really good race and it’s easy enough to see why people would be split.
Paisley Park’s struggle in last year’s race was probably a one-off but I think Thyme Hill is the most likely winner. I’ve been a fan of his and I fancied him in the Albert Bartlett last year so I think he’ll get his revenge.
FULL PREVIEW: PADDY POWER STAYERS’ HURDLE ANTEPOST BEST BETS REVEALED BY RUBY WALSH
GOLD CUP
It will not be straightforward, but AL BOUM PHOTO is the most likely winner. You may not want to back him now, but I would be getting on him before racing starts on Tuesday because if Willie Mullins gets on a roll at the Festival – and he’s got a lot of really well-fancied horses – he will be plenty short enough, whether the public get into him or not. If it goes the other way, you can always back him again, but if he rolls in then you will have missed the price.
FULL PREVIEW: GOLD CUP ANTEPOST SELECTIONS FROM RUBY WALSH
*Paddy will be all over your telly box throughout the Cheltenham Festival sponsoring ITV’s live coverage from Prestbury Park – and you can get free and exclusive tipping columns EVERY DAY from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald here on PP News.
Read More on Cheltenham 2021
- Cheltenham tips: Frank Hickey’s Champion Hurdle antepost best bets
- Cheltenham tips: Frank Hickey’s Queen Mother Champion Chase antepost picks
- Cheltenham tips: Frank Hickey’s Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle antepost selections
- Cheltenham tips: Frank Hickey’s Gold Cup antepost shout
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com nowThe Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
Cheer
Jeer
What do you think?
The social sharing buttons have been hidden due to cookie preferences. Please allow functional cookies for this to work.
Cheer
Jeer
Latest Posts
Horse Racing calendar: Key Jumps races and fixtures including Grand National 2023
Alex Harris / Cheltenham Festival / 6 months ago
Ruby Walsh: Galopin Des Champs could be best staying chaser since Kauto Star
Ruby Walsh / Cheltenham Festival / 6 months ago
Ruby Walsh: Impaire Et Passe could be Willie Mullins’ 2024 Champion Hurdle horse
Ruby Walsh / Cheltenham Festival / 6 months ago
More Horse Racing Tips
Follow us on