RUBY WALSH wasn’t bad at celebrating Cheltenham winners — and it turns out he can tip ‘em, too.
The legendary jockey talks us through his Festival bankers — and there are one or two dark ’uns in there.
The Paddy Power ambassador has supplied SunSport with FIVE horses to watch out for[/caption]
TUESDAY
- BEYOND YOUR DREAMS, ODDS: 7-1 (4.40 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle)
JOSEPH O’BRIEN’s filly wasn’t a world-beater on the Flat, but she caught my eye on her first start over hurdles at Fairyhouse in early November.
She was a little bit novicey over her hurdles but ran on pretty nicely to finish second.
Then she was unlucky when second just a couple of weeks later at Navan, beaten half a length by one of Gavin Cromwell’s who has run well in a higher grade since.
I liked the way Beyond Your Dreams got off the mark on her next start, for all she again made a few mistakes.
She hasn’t run since as they wanted to protect her handicap mark. She runs off 123 and that’s perfect.
Joseph has a fine record in a race which is one of the most competitive of the week, having won it twice in the last six years.
WEDNESDAY
- COPACABANA, ODDS: 11-4 (5.20 Champion Bumper)
I DON’T think I’m giving away state secrets when I say this lad is Willie Mullins’ first string.
JP McManus has come out over the last few days and revealed he has backed him — so you might struggle to get a decent price now!
He has done everything at home very easily and was impressive at Navan.
Willie has a brilliant record in the race and I’d say this lad is right up to scratch with some of his previous winners.
THURSDAY
- JUNGLE BOOGIE, ODDS: 14-1 (3.20 Ryanair Chase)
DAY three looks like the hardest day to find winners but I’ve always been a fan of Jungle Boogie who has loads of ability but has been unable to show us how good he is because he’s had so many injury issues.
He ran a lovely race when sixth to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup last year and Henry did a great job getting him to win first time up at Ascot in December.
He’s an 11-year-old but he goes well fresh and Henry has a magic touch at this meeting.
My tip is a big price in a wide-open race.
FRIDAY
- EAST INDIA DOCK, ODDS: 2-1 (1.20 Triumph Hurdle)
I WILL admit, I doubted this lad when he ran at Cheltenham last time but I was really impressed with what I saw — I love his attitude.
He’s got so much determination and was relentless in that Grade 2 trial, drawing right away despite losing momentum at the final hurdle.
You know what you’ll get from him, he’ll be gunned from the front by Sam Twiston-Davies and I would be surprised if any of his rivals will be able to keep up with his gallop and slick jumping.
- ANGELS DAWN, ODDS: 7-2 (4.40 Hunter Chase)
THIS lad is the second of my big fancies for the last day and has been trained to peak at the Festival for the last two years.
He got a lovely waiting ride to win the Kim Muir a couple of years ago and was going nicely when he came down two out in that race last season.
The ten-year-old drops to calmer waters this time and has warmed up with a couple of easy point-to-point wins.
