Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Tips
Supreme Novices Hurdle – Facile Vega
Ballymore Novices Hurdle – Impaire Et Passe
Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle – Home By The Lee
County Hurdle – Colonel Mustard
Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs
Ruby Walsh knows a thing or 59 about riding winners at Prestbury Park, and the festival legend picked out his five to watch from across the Irish Sea this year on Paddy Power’s Cheltenham Preview Night, which you can watch back here in full now.
The GOAT is not expecting much of a delay to the Irish domination on UK soil, with a winning start to the 2023 Cheltenham Festival expected in the very first race, and an overall 19-9 Prestbury Cup victory for those travelling across the Irish Sea.
“The UK will win some of the championship races, but that will paper over the cracks,” Ruby told us. “To me it’s a greenwash because Ireland has the majority of entries in the novice races and bumper. Those horses are the future and the majority are in Ireland.”
Now, let’s get down to his 5 best bets heading across from Ireland to Cheltenham this year…
Supreme Novices Hurdle – Facile Vega
High Definition should make the running in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He and Facile Vega took each other on much too early at the Dublin Racing Festival. When High Definition unseated his rider at the fourth it didn’t help Facile Vega at all, as he was already in full flight but faded to finish fifth. Facile Vega will have learned from that and won’t get into an early battle at Cheltenham. It was his first defeat on the racetrack and I’m not going to oppose FACILE VEGA now.
Ballymore Novices Hurdle – Impaire Et Passe
The Paul Nicholls’ trained Hermes Allen has rock-solid form and heads the Ballymore market but I think the Irish challenge is strong. I’m a fan of IMPAIRE ET PASSE. He was really good when winning over two miles at Punchestown and I’ve no doubts about his stamina stepping up in trip.
Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle – Home By The Lee
If the ground stays good then HOME BY THE LEE has done nothing wrong all season. He was sixth in this race last year but has won at Navan and Leopardstown and improved this term as they are riding him differently and it’s working.
County Hurdle – Colonel Mustard
COLONEL MUSTARD was third in the County Hurdle last year but can improve a couple of places and get into the winner’s enclosure this time. He’s back over fences after chasing didn’t work out and finished second at Kelso last weekend which was a good confidence booster.
Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs
If I were still riding, I would be all over GALOPIN DES CHAMPS all day every day. I don’t think stamina is an issue as all the indicators is that he will stay the 3m 2f trip. This race looks tailor-made for him. Bravemansgame and Noble Yeats can fill the places.
Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Tips
Supreme Novices Hurdle – Facile Vega
Ballymore Novices Hurdle – Impaire Et Passe
Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle – Home By The Lee
County Hurdle – Colonel Mustard
Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs
Read More on the Cheltenham Festival 2023
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Cheltenham Tips: Rory Delargy’s Lucky 15 tips for Cheltenham 2023
- Cheltenham Festival 2023 race times and schedule
- Cheltenham Festival: Paddy Power’s antepost favourites for the 2023 championship races
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