Ruby put up Sam Winner as his bet of the meeting© Photo Healy Racing
An interview with Ruby Walsh was broadcast live in Paddy Power shops around the country this afternoon.
He gave his opinion on many of the races at Cheltenham as well as giving his bet of the meeting.
Tomorrow Barry Geraghty will be in the hotseat and his interview will be broadcast live in Paddy Power shops throughout the country from 2pm.
Below is a review of what Ruby said this afternoon:
On the Supreme Novices Hurdle: "I don't know what I ride, I will wait on the forecast whether it rains or doesn’t and then I’ll decide. I want to be on the best horse on the day and there is no point in making a decision yet.
"Un Atout has done nothing wrong but I've never sat on him. David Casey rides him in all of his work. Champagne Fever seems to be back to his best on homework.
"It does look a match between My Tent Or Yours and Jezki and if you were to ask me to bet, I’d say Jezki.
"Dodging Bullets has done nothing wrong this year. He has won twice at Cheltenham and is a good price if the rain doesn’t arrive."
On the Arkle: "I'll ride Arvika Ligeonniere. It's hard to say that he is even an each-way price given the small field. I just love Simonsig and I think Overturn will just set the race up for him.
"It’ll be a catch me if you can type of race and to me Simonsig is possibly the only horse in training that would give Sprinter Sacre a race."
On the Champion Hurdle: "I'd hate to be laying Hurricane Fly and I’ve no idea why the bookies are all out to get him.
"I hope I clean you out (referring to the money back special if Hurricane Fly wins that Paddy Power are offering).
"Look, I love Hurricane Fly and I can’t wait to look Paddy Power in the eye after the race!"
On the Cross Country race: " It will be very hard for Uncle Junior to give the weight away . Arabella Boy looks well handicapped."
On the Mares Hurdle: "I hope she (Quevega) can do the five timer. The dam’s pedigree got better as they got older and she’s in great order.
"Yesterday at Leopardstown she just got a little racecourse experience under Katie (Walsh)."
On the Neptune Investments Novices Hurdle: "Pont Alexandre is a gorgeous big horse. He jumps and he stays and he has a huge future. What he does over hurdles is a bonus and there is nothing not to like about him.
"I love everything about him and I can’t wait to ride him. He ticks all the right boxes."
“Champagne Fever probably won’t take him on in the Neptune.”
On the RSA Chase: "Good question as to what I ride. The race revolves around Dynaste, he could be seven or eight pounds ahead of everything else.
"Aupcharlie will run in the Jewson. I opposed Grand Crus last year but I won’t oppose Dynaste. The Wylie's won't run two in it."
"Boston Bob is in great form at home. He worked on Saturday and he will work again tomorrow but I still don’t know what I’m riding in it."
On the Queen Mother: "Sprinter Sacre will win it. Mail De Bievre (who needs to be supplemented) could be each-way value."
On the Coral Cup: "We think a lot of Wonderful Charm. I’m not sure about whether he should be 6/1 but we do really like him."
On the Champion Bumper: "Willie has won it God knows how many times. Union Dues, Briar Hill and Sizing Tennessee are his likely runners.
"I was far from impressed with Golantilla (schooling at Leopardstown yesterday) but one who did catch my eye was Blackmail."
"I could be on Briar Hill as Patrick will probably ride Union Dues and Andrew Lynch is possible for Sizing Tennessee."
On the National Hunt Chase: "Back In Focus has a definite chance but Hawkes Point is a big price at 16/1 according to Paul Nicholls."
On the Jewson: "Aupcharlie is much improved this season. I think he was disappointing the last day at Naas. The nature of the race will suit him but it all depends on whether Dynaste, who I think is the best novice, runs or not. Captain Conan, for me, let me down at Sandown.
On the Ryanair: "I thought Joe Tizzard gave Cue Card a great ride at Ascot. There could be a debate between Davy (Russell) and Mouse (Morris) as to where First Lieutenant runs.
"I think Mouse could win that argument though, it’s hard to say, I don’t know who would win it! Sizing Europe could be past his best.
“The race could actually suit China Rock. I will be on Ghizao at a huge each-way price. As for the winner, I don’t know."
On the World Hurdle: "I doubt Quevega will do the Mares, World hurdle double. It’s just too much to ask her after two and a half miles on Tuesday.
"At the top of the market I prefer Rev De Sivola over Oscar Whisky."
On the Triumph Hurdle: "Far West has everything. On his first couple of races he won with staying but the last time he sprinted clear. Our Conor does look very slick but I like Far West .
"I know Willie thinks Diakali could turn the form on Our Conor but I’m not sure. I don’t know why Ireland has such a poor record in the race."
On the Albert Bartlett: "Ballycasey, I like him. He has showed plenty so far. We all know about At Fishers Cross. I think Coneygree will run well at 14’s.
"It does look a competitive race but I like Ballycasey."
On the Gold Cup: "It's the first time in a while without Kauto Star and I’m delighted to ride Silviniaco Conti who has done nothing wrong all year.
"Bobs Worth has only had one run but the form has worked out really well. Sir Des Champs was a little disappointing on his first run but he is improving still.
“For an each-way bet, with non-runner, no bet, First Lieutenant is a great price but I do think the winner will come from the first four in the betting.
"It looks a better race than last year. The only one guaranteed to get the trip is Long Run but all the principals look like they will stay.
"Sir Des Champs is in really good form and he has definitely improved. His jumping let him down in the Lexus but he put that right in the Hennessy."
Walsh put up Sam Winner as his bet of the meeting. He said: "he is quite a bit better than a handicapper."
The Paul Nicholls trained gelding is entered in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle on the Thursday of the Festival.
