Ruby Walsh picks out a 40-1 Cheltenham Festival tip that will ‘set your heart racing’

10 months ago 56

LEGENDARY jockey Ruby Walsh has picked out an unlikely 40-1 Cheltenham Festival tip he reckons will ‘set your heart racing’.

Lucinda Russell’s front-running Ahoy Senor crashed to the ground at the final ditch in last years Gold Cup, but Walsh suspects he’s worth a bet in the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday at the Festival.

The nine-year-old has only been out twice this year, pulling up both times in the Coral Cup Handicap Chase on soft ground, and Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase when the going was good.

And he hasn’t competed over hurdles since thrashing Bravemansgame by seven lengths in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April 2021.

Speaking on the Cheltenham Countdown on Paddy Power Media’s From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, Walsh said: “Lucinda Russell has a habit of getting horses back into good form in the spring.

“Do I see him winning? I think one or two might get by him, but would I mind holding an ante post docket at 40-1 each way when he’s turning off the top of the hill a couple of lengths in front?

“I could see it setting your heart racing.”

Gordon Elliott – who was recently rocked by the news top owners Caldwell Construction were quitting his yard – has the top two in the market.

Teahupoo and Walsh’s ‘number one’ Irish Point are joint favourites on 7-2.

As always, Willie Mullins looks set to throw out some very classy opposition.

His former Ballymore winner Impaire Et Passe is as short as 5-1 in places, roughly the same as Fergal O’Brien’s Crambo.

Cheveley Park’s Sir Gerhard is another who could show up for the Mullins’ string.

The horse, who was removed from Elliott’s yard in 2021 following the controversial photograph of the trainer astride a dead horse, is now a 9-1 shot to take on his old stable companions.

He won on News Year’s Day at Punchestown, but Walsh says it is ‘an unknown’ whether he will stay this distance over hurdles.

Monkfish, who was back to his best when finally winning again at Gowran Park in the week, has been slashed into as short as 10-1.

But could last year’s winner, Sire Du Burlais, spring a shock and defend his title at the age of 12?

Walsh points out it’ll be his first run this season, and he hasn’t won on his first outing for four years.

Walsh added: “He’s getting older. Like anyone, get older, get a bit slower, get a bit cuter, harder to get fitter and it will be a great training performance if he can go there without a run and win.”