RUBY’S A TO Z
With a record 59 wins at Cheltenham, top jockey turned pundit Ruby Walsh walks through his A to Z of things to look out for at the 2024 festival.
A – A is for Arkle Chase
The second race of the festival and one we hope Majborough will win for Willie Mullins.
B – B is for Ballyburn
He has the most natural ability in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
C – C is for Constitution Hill
Still unbeaten, all eyes will be on him as he bids to regain the Champion Hurdle.
D – D is for Dinoblue
She is certainly the one to beat this year in the Mrs. Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
E – E is for Ethical Diamond
Looks like one of the Willie Mullins ones to watch.
F – F is for Final Demand
He has shown a lot of promise and will be a strong contender in the Turners Novices’ Chase.
G – G is for Galopin Des Champs
The Cheltenham Gold Cup champion will be going for a third successive crown this Friday.
H – H is for Harry Cobden
The number one jockey for Paul Nicholls and Paddy Power’s newest ambassador, I know he’ll be after a successful festival.
I – I is for Ireland
The nation has claimed victory in the Prestbury Cup since 2019, with this year looking no different.
J – is for Jonbon
After missing last year’s festival, he will be looking to make amends in the Champion Chase.
K – K is for Kopek Des Bordes
He had a breathtaking victory at the Dublin Racing Festival, and beating him in the festival’s opening race would take a feat.
L – L is for Lulamba
Favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, which looks to be a battle against both East India Dock and Hello Neighbour.
M – M is for Michael O’Sullivan
After his tragic passing recently, we will all have Michael O’Sullivan in our thoughts, with the festival’s traditional curtain-raiser now staged as The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
N – N is for Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson is the only man who can bring the challenge for the home team, headlining with the mighty Constitution Hill.
O – Outsider
There are a fair few horses that are hiding in plain sight that I think could come into their own.
P – P is for Paul Townend
With 34 festival winners under his belt, this year could see him close the gap on the festival’s second-most successful jockey, Barry Geraghty.
Q – Quick Ground
If the ground is quick for the Gold Cup, Banbridge could be a fly in the ointment for Galopin Des Champs.
R – R is for Rachael Blackmore
She made history as the first female to win the Gold Cup in 2022, and I am sure she will return to Cheltenham with high expectations.
S – S is for Sixandahalf
One of the star attractions for me in the Mares Novices’ Hurdle.
T – T is for Teahupoo
He is favourite to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for the second year in a row.
U – U is for Upset
Anything can happen at the Cheltenham Festival.
V – V is for Vanillier
He seemed to have lost his way a bit, but after his win in Punchestown, you can’t rule him out for the Cross Country Handicap Chase.
W – W is for Willie Mullins
He is the most successful trainer of all time at the festival, with over 100 wins, and shows no signs of slowing down.
X – X marks the spot
And the spot to be next week is in your local Paddy Power shop to take in all of the action.
Y – Y is for years
It’s been 10 years since Annie Power’s famous fall at the Mares’ Hurdle in the 2015 Cheltenham Festival, but I still get reminded of it weekly.
Z – Z is for Zero
The number of handicap chases Willie Mullins has won at the festival. Let’s see if he changes that this year.
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