Cheltenham Tips: Ruby Walsh’s 7/2 Turners Novices’ Chase non runner money back pick

Ruby is sweet on Gaelic Warrior but he reckons Willie Mullins' other runner Fact To File could be a value pick.

By / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips / 3 months ago

Ruby Walsh’s Turners Novices’ Chase Picks

Gaelic Warrior
Fact To File

          In the fourth of this year’s Paddy Power Media’s ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ podcast ‘Cheltenham Countdown’, host Tom Nugent together with former champion jockey turned tv pundit Ruby Walsh and well-known journalist and broadcaster Rory Delargy, look at the Turners Novices’ Chase on day three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

                    RUBY WALSH

                    Willie Mullins has Gaelic Warrior in the Turners Novices’ Chase. It’s on the New Course and probably not maybe as tight for him [as the Arkle Trophy on the Old Course]. He was good at Limerick and he won over two and a half miles at Punchestown.

                    He’s a three mile novice hurdle winner so stamina doesn’t seem to be any issue with him. He was second in last year’s Baring Bingham but he’s a short price. That’s the only thing for a horse who you know is going to jump a little bit to his right, he’s just plenty short enough in the market  isn’t he?

                        The way it’s looking with Gaelic Warrior – this would be the ideal race for him. You have Fact To File who beat Zanahiyr at Leopardstown at Christmas and I thought he was very good and improved from his first run at Navan where he was second behind American Mike.

                        American Mike of Gordon Elliott’s obviously went to Limerick at Christmas and disappointed. Facile Vega? Who knows? Is this going to be the making of him stepping up in trip? It kind of looks like he wants to go up in trip so you could imagine the three mentioned above might go to the Turners Novices Chase.  Grangeclare West is more likely to step up to three miles.

                        Nick Rockett is a horse I would say wants further than 2m 4f. He definitely doesn’t want this trip to show his best – he needs three miles or more. Blood Destiny – would he come back in trip? Is he an outsider for the Arkle – it didn’t look like he stayed at Punchestown behind Spillanes Tower.

                                Il Etait Temps wasn’t good enough for Gaelic Warrior at Limerick, maybe chuck him in the Arkle and see how he goes? He’s just reached his level and Minella Cocooner to me is definitely a stayer. So you could end up with Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File and Facile Vega here and they’d have a good race on their own.

                                I wouldn’t be against Gaelic Warrior but I was really impressed with Fact To File at Christmas. He’s the alternative – he’s a great jumper and a fair horse.

                                      Ruby Walsh’s Turners Novices’ Chase Picks

                                      Gaelic Warrior
                                      Fact To File

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