Former jockey Ruby Walsh is expecting yet another dominant display for the Irish contingent at next week’s Cheltenham Festival, predicting a 19-9 Prestbury Cup victory.
Each year The Irish and British trainers battle it out for the title named after the village closest to the famous racecourse. In recent years the Festival has been dominated by those who make the trip over the Irish Sea, and one of their former stars Walsh is expecting similar this time around.
Speaking to Paddy Power, the Irishman gave a glowing prediction of his fellow countrymen. He said: “The UK will win some of the championship races, but that will paper over the cracks. 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.” Walsh also gave his predictions for the marquee race of the week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and once again he swayed in favour of the Irish, marking Galopin Des Champs as his pre-Festival pick.
“The further Bravesmansgame went in the King George, the more he impressed. I don't worry about the track. He was placed in the Ballymore behind Bob Olinger – he's a much better horse now.
“He's a big runner but if I was given the choice to ride, I would ride Galopin Des Champs all day every day. He's tailor-made for it. as always happens in Gold Cups, a stayer will get involved.
“I thought it would be Noble Yeats all year and I still think it'll be Noble Yeats. He gave Ahoy Senor 3lbs in the Cotswold Chase, he wasn't knocked about, the cheek pieces are going back on and I think he'll turn the form with Ahoy Senor and get in the money.”
