Ruby Walsh picks out huge 33-1 and 14-1 Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips

RUBY WALSH has picked out two huge outsiders in the Cheltenham ante-post markets – including one former festival winner.

The legendary jockey set tongues wagging earlier this week when he was pictured riding Champion Chase favourite El Fabiolo at Willie Mullins’ Closutton HQ.

But what punters really wanted to know was who the horse leading former Arkle winner El Fabiolo up the gallops was.

Walsh keps his cards close to his chest on Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, revealing only: “I think it was a bumper horse, I’m not overly sure.”

One thing he was far more certain about, however, was two big-price picks for Cheltenham.

Last year’s Triumph winner Lossiemouth heads the market in the Mares’ Hurdle.

It’s a race Mullins has made his own thanks to the likes of Quevega, Benie Des Dieux and Vroum Vroum Mag.

But Henry de Bromhead has enjoyed success in lately thanks to Honeysuckle.

And Walsh thinks he has a great chance this year with former Mares’ Novice Hurdle winner Telmesomethinggirl.

He said: “I think Telmesomethinggirl didn’t like jumping fences and you can write off her chase career.

“She was cantering in this race two years ago behind Marie’s Rock when she got brought down at the second last.

“She ran over hurdles at Leopardstown and she gave away a lot more jumping than she was beaten and that can often happen when you come back to chasing.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she were to run a bigger race somewhere.

“She likes coming from off the pace and if she lined up here at a huge price 33-1, I think each-way she could run into something.

“I think Lossiemouth has the ability to stay and she’s my idea of the winner – and Willie’s best chance in the race.

“But does she make any appeal to me at 5-2 in an ante-post bet? Absolutely none, but at 33-1 Telmesomethinggirl does for something small.”

Walsh also had a positive mention for JP McManus’ Corbetts Cross.

The seven-year-old famously ran out at the final flight of last year’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

He’s 12-1 for the Turners and Brown Advisory, but Walsh reckons he makes more appeal in the National Hunt Chase at 14-1 with Paddy Power.

The ex-pro said: “Corbetts Cross stands out to me, I fancy him and I think that’s a great price.

“Fact To File could end up in the Brown Advisory, Spillanes Tower could end up in the Turners and you start looking at the owner and where horses could get split.

“I just think this fella has qualified for this race and 14-1 makes appeal to me.”

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