Ruby Walsh finds value in Cheltenham Mares' Races - 'Either of those fillies at big prices each-way'

On the most recent episode of Paddy Power Media’s ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ podcast ‘Cheltenham Countdown’, former champion jockey turned tv pundit Ruby Walsh, looks at the Mares’ Hurdle, Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and Mrs Paddy Mares’ Chase and unearths some each-way value.

Mares’ Hurdle

Changes at the weekend with Sir Gino now out for the season, Lossiemouth was very impressive here last year, is there a chance now the Champion Hurdle becomes the main aim, Ruby?

I would have thought the DRF will tell us that — I think it’ll answer the question, we can sit here and speculate and say if this happens and if that happens and if the other thing happens.

I think what you’ll end up seeing is you’ll get the answer from the result of what actually does happen at the weekend.

What needs to happen for the plan to change and the plan under the assumption that the Mares’ Hurdle is still Plan A?

I’d say if she’s impressive at the weekend, it may well change the plan, but I think that’s what you’re looking at. It depends on what she does on Sunday in the Irish Champion Hurdle and that’s going to be a belting race — Brighterdaysahead, you just listen to Gordon, you know he thinks she’s going to be better.

She only has a length to make up — it’s going to be a cracking contest and I think Sunday’s Irish Champion Hurdle gives the answer.

I know people are saying ‘that’s no good having to wait until Sunday to find out’, but she’s 2-1 now, if she wins on Sunday, she won’t be any price for the Mares’ Hurdle will she?

Anything at a price worth mentioning?

She’s probably not a big enough price, but ultimately Jade De Grugy was second here last year to Lossiemouth, well beaten in second place, but I wouldn’t be shocked, depending on where Lossiemouth ends up.

If Lossiemouth did end up Champion Hurdle, Willie’s going to have a runner in this and I wouldn’t be surprised if she came back from fences, whereas Kargese, I’m not sure you could see her getting the trip on the New Course.

Maybe on the Old Course she might have, but I would be more thinking Jade De Grugy.

If they all line up, who wins?

Lossiemouth.

Mares’ Hurdle

Paddy Power: 5-4 Wodhooh, 5-2 Lossiemouth, 9-2 Brighterdaysahead, 10 Jade De Grugy, 14 Feet Of A Dancer, 20 Dream On Baby, 25 Golden Ace, Kargese, Nurse Susan, Take No Chances, 50 bar

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Does Bambino Fever set the standard?

Yeah overall form you would have to think she does — I don’t think we learnt a whole pile about her the second day, she was 10-1 on, in a pretty average maiden hurdle and she went and won anyway.

I would think she would have improved fitness wise from her debut at Naas where she couldn’t match Oldschool Outlaw, but, to be fair, to Oldschool Outlaw there’s probably plenty to like about her too.

A lot to like about her too and every time you thought in Naas that Paul was just going to get to Jack or maybe get by Jack, to be fair to Oldschool Outlaw, she pulled out another bit.

Now we didn’t get to see her on Saturday in the Solerina as Fairyhouse was called off and it’s been rescheduled for Tuesday week [Feb 3] so it’ll be interesting to see how she gets on there, she was in against Place De La Nation.

I would think Oldschool Outlaw would win that race anyway, but look Bambino Fever is a good mare, handles the track. She has a great attitude, she’s a good, solid jumper, nothing to dislike about her, only maybe 15-8 [7-4 fav Paddy Power].

Maybe not backing Bambino Fever today, if you were to have a nibble at one at a price?

I’d be going Switch From Diesel, Amen Kate, big each-way prices, it is a race you can get a shock in, Concertista nearly won it first time up and she was beaten by another outsider of Willie’s that Noel Fehily rode.

It is a race you can get a price in so I think either of those fillies at big prices each-way.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Paddy Power: 7-4 Bambino Fever, 7 Oldschool Outlaw, 14 Echoing Silence, Place De La Nation, 16 Carrigmoornaspruce, La Conquiere, Venusienne, 20 Future Prospect, Larinka, La Valserine, St Irene, Supreme Malinas, 25 Clondaw Park, Full Of Life, Jackie Hobbs, Kingston Queen, Switch From Diesel, Highland Crystal, 33 Amen Kate, Cornelienne, Diamond Du Berlais, Dream Shadow, Sapphos Word, 40 bar

Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase

Dinoblue sets the standard?

Yeah it’s safe to say she sets the standard, but I do think there are mares starting to come through now that are going to challenge her and I think I know the mares’ programme at the Cheltenham Festival probably is a bugbear for some.

But I think it’s actually enhancing the quality of stock. I think it’s a good thing and I think in the long run, it will work out and I think this will be a really competitive race. There’s some really good mares in training and I think this will be a cracking contest.

Willie also has Spindleberry as a possible for the race?

Dinoblue has had the option of coming down to two miles in the past, not quite at Grade 1 level, but definitely at Grade 2 level and I think she’s won a Grade 1 or 2 [2m 1f Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase in 2023], but circumstances of a race probably made that happen for her.

I would say Dino is probably the quicker of the two mares whereas there’s no doubt about Spindleberry in the trip and staying at it really well and she’s been progressing nicely.

She’s an eight-year-old, I know her owner Fearghal Eastwood is keen to go for the shoot for the stars [go for the Gold Cup], but I guess it’s Willie Mullins’s job to measure his expectations or manage them even, but I do think it’s a deep race.

Most likely winner and one at a price worth mentioning?

I think Spindleberry is the most likely winner for me. What price is Kala Conti? [8-1] She’s not overlooked, no, I don’t think there’s anything overlooked personally.

Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase

Paddy Power: 9-4 Dinoblue, 5-2 Spindleberry, 8 Kala Conti, Only By Night, Panic Attack, 10 Jade De Grugy, 12 Diva Luna, July Flower, 20 The Big Westerner, 33 Kargese, 40 bar