Cheltenham tips: Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald clash over who to avoid in RSA Chase

2.10PM RSA CHASE  – CHAMP or SLATE HOUSE?

MICK FITZGERALD

I’m worried about Champ’s jumping for this race. I think it’s a major problem.

There’s 20 fences in the RSA. Law of averages says you going to meet one or two of them wrong, and the problem is when he meets them wrong he just isn’t very clever at getting his feet out of the way.

That’s the big worry if you’re backing him. I think the biggest surprise of all is Robbie Power rides Slate House and not Copperhead.

Everyone is talking up Copperhead saying he’s a good thing and a certainty, and then Robbie says ‘I’m riding Slate House!’

I asked him “which way are you edging?” and he said towards Slate House. Despite winning his last three, when I spoke his Copperhead’s trainer Colin Tizzard about it, he thought the form from the Ascot race he won in mid-February was weak.

CHEAT SHEET: Ruby Walsh’s guide to bashing the bookies on day two at Cheltenham

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• Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Festival Cheat Sheet
• Frank Hickey’s 3 horses he fancies who are well handicapped
• Frank Hickey is taking on these 4 favourites at the Festival

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RUBY WALSH

As a jockey you have to have an opinion. Copperhead did start in handicap company so you have to ask the question how did he get so well handicapped, even if he has improved through it.

But I’d have a bigger worry about Slate House’s jumping than Champ’s jumping. I’m not mad about the way he jumps.

RESULTS: Cheltenham LIVE! All the winners and losers from Day Two