Ruby Walsh: ‘He’s a very good horse, I liked him last year’ Ruby Walsh has revealed he is a big fan of Romeo Coolio after he won the BetVictor Beginners Steeplechase at Down Royal last weekend. Speaking on Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast this week, the 59-time Cheltenham winning former jockey gave his opinion on a wide range of topics on the National Hunt preview show. On Romeo Coolio, Walsh said: “Look, it’s always very easy when you’re sitting on the couch. “But he still had to figure out three fences that aren’t even in a line. “Lookm he won well in what was a novice chase minus six fences. He’s a very good horse, I liked him last year, I thought he was a very good novice hurdler and a big imposing individual.” Walsh On Who To Watch From Closutton Walsh swerved Kopek Des Bordes as his one to watch from Closutton over hurdles, instead opting for another Grade 1 winner. He said: “Final Demand for me — he was the one who stood out to me anyway. You’d imagine he would be further than two miles, but I just thought he was really impressive. “Kopek definitely needs to jump a fence better than he jumped a hurdle, in my eyes anyway.” When asked for his one hurdler to follow this season, Walsh said: “I’m putting State Man in.” Don’t Give Up On Ballyburn Over Fences Asked whether Ballyburn can be a contender for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, Walsh said: “No — I still think I wouldn’t give up on him over fences either. “He can be a fraction careful, but I’d have thought let him find his feet, I think he’d improve and I think being let gallop will let him settle down as well. “Maybe he’ll go Hatton’s Grace, end up maybe at the Aintree Hurdle. I’d say he’s at a bit of a crossroads and probably best watched for a while to tell you the truth. “He definitely won’t, I won’t say definitely because Willie could do anything, but I’d be shocked if he ran in a handicap chase first time up, not saying he wouldn’t get to a handicap chase by the end of the year.” Mares’ Hurdle Changes Will Make Little Difference There have been a number of changes made to the Cheltenham schedule this year, including the Mares’ Hurdle moving from Tuesday to Thursday. That means the race, won by Lossiemouth in 2023 and 2024, will be run on the New course instead of the Old course and will be marginally further. When asked for his opinion on the changes, Walsh said: “Again change for the sake of change. “[New Course — different race?] So what will it be, it’ll ride probably a little bit further distance wise. Does it change the race, I don’t think it will change it that much at all. “It will put less of an emphasis on jumping because on the New Course with the two hurdles spread out over such a distance, in the last seven furlongs of the race, it will put less of an emphasis on actually jumping in the contest. “Look I think you should never be afraid of change, but change should always be proactive and for the better. I think this is reactive and doesn’t change anything — it’s change for the sake of change."
