Eleven-time leading jockey Ruby Walsh and journalist Donn McClean preview the main races on the penultimate day of the Cheltenham Festival.
1.30 Turners Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh: Appreciate It looked too slow at the Dublin Racing Festival and El Fabiolo really put him in his place. He couldn't keep up with Dysart Dynamo and he had nothing to give at the end.
Like Honeysuckle, he's nine years old and going up in trip to see if he can still compete but it doesn't necessarily mean that you will.
Mighty Potter has been really impressive all season. He didn't blow me away at Down Royal, he was much better at Fairyhouse and the Dublin Racing Festival. He'll be a hard one to beat.
Donn McClean: Mighty Potter could be a superstar. He's won his three chases.
The one worry you might have about him is that his one run at Cheltenham, he pulled up. I know he wasn't right, didn't have the run of the race, and made a mistake early - so you can allow him that - but when you talk about a short-priced horse who is back at the course where he underperformed last time, that's just a niggle in the back of your mind.
Banbridge was very good in winning the Martin Pipe Hurdle at the festival last year. He probably doesn't have the class that Mighty Potter has but he's still a very good horse. He's a very accurate jumper of fences, for a novice. He could be the one to put it up to Mighty Potter, even though the rain is now not in his favour but he still should run well.
Mighty Potter (EvensF) justifies favouritism in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown as Davy Russell and and Gordon Elliott get off the mark at this year's #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/4CyNjjDIhE
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) February 5, 2023
2.50 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh: You can't look beyond Shishkin – unless Don thinks there's someone there?
Donn McClean: If Shishkin performs like he did at Ascot the last time he'll take an awful lot of beating.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh: Blazing Khal has had a bit of a setback. He got a cut when he won at Navan and he's had an interrupted prep since then. That's far from ideal.
A lot will depend on the weather here. The soft ground gives Teahupoo a massive chance here for Gordon Elliot and Davy Russell.
If it dries then Home By The Lee of Joseph O'Brien is a big runner.
Donn McClean: Flooring Porter had that setback earlier, and there was a worry as to whether he'd make it to the races. But the vibes from Gavin Cromwell and the yard seem to be positive in that regard.
What's going to take it on? I can't see what's going to make him go faster than Danny Mullins wants to go. That's a dangerous scenario for his rivals if Danny Mullins can dictate the pace again.
Klassical Dream ran in the race last year for Willie Mullins. He was behind Flooring Porter but he won the Supreme Novices' a couple and is a horse that goes well when he's fresh.
4.50 Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)
Ruby Walsh: Luccia is your warm favourite but I like Lot of Joy. At an each-way price, she would be my pick there.
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Ruby Walsh and Donn McClean were speaking on RTÉ 2FM's Game On and Morning Ireland.
