Horse Racing tips: Ruby Walsh's best bets for Irish Champion Stakes day

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

13:10 – Buckaroo

Maritime Wings has chased down Point Lonsdale on his last two starts, who is obviously the form horse at the moment. I have doubts over Maritime Wings and there’s each way value in Joseph O’Brien’s other runner in Buckaroo. He looks a solid horse who beat Stone Age at Galway in July. Leopardstown will suit him more than Galway so I’m taking a punt on him.

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13:40 – Mother Earth

Mother Earth is rock solid and I fancy her to win. She was third at Ascot, second at Newmarket then won at Deauville in August. She’s actually my NAP of the weekend. Epona Plays, Pearls Galore, Pretty Gorgeous and Champers Elysees aren’t on the same level. The rest of them are Group 2 fillies at best but Mother Earth is a proper Group 1 filly.

14:10 – Maker Of Kings

This is a wide open race but I can’t get behind Mac Swiney on this ground. There won’t be enough rain between now and then to back him. Maker Of Kings has an outstanding chance. He pushed Japan close in his last start at Leopardstown and I really fancy him. Fev Rover for Richard Fahey is also worth looking at in an each-way punt.

14:45 – St Mark’s Basilica

St Mark’s Basilica is the best horse in this race over 10f, there’s no doubt about it. Tarnawa’s best day probably came in Keeneland in the Breeders’ Cup. She came well off the pace under Colin Keane that day and prior to that she won at Longchamp where she beat Alpine Star. I don’t see Colin changing his tactics for this one, he’ll ride her the same way. Poetic Flare is unproven over this distance so there’s question marks there. If Ryan Moore bolts out on St Marks Basilica and stays in front, he’s the one for me. Ryan just needs to keep it simple.

15:15 – Innisfree

Earlswood beat Innisfree at the Curragh last month but it was Innisfree’s first run since 2019. He was ridden that day just to make it home and he looked good. If Innisfree has improved at all, he’s going to turn the form around on Earlswood.

15:45 – Hook Up

Baby Zeus is drawn in stall 25 which is very wide and could be a bit of a problem. Royal Illusion ran in this race last year but she needs a little further. Leopardstown will suit Hook Up better than Galway and the ground should be good for her too. Ryan Moore is on board which is always a bonus and the draw of 13 is decent too.

Ruby Walsh’s best bets:

13:10 Leopardstown – Buckaroo
13:40 Leopardstown – Mother Earth
14:10 Leopardstown – Maker Of Kings
14:45 Leopardstown – St Marks Basilica
15:15 Leopardstown – Innisfree
15:45 Leopardstown – Hook Up

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