Ahead of Day 1 of Cheltenham, Ruby Walsh, who rode a record 59 Festival winners, shared his thoughts on the card with 2fm's Game On.
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1, 1600)
Ultimately, Lossiemouth didn't prove herself a Champion Hurdle horse. And Willie has changed tack and dropped her back into the Mares' Hurdle. Some people won't like that, but I think she's in the right race.
The Constitution Hill that won the 2023 Champion Hurdle was amazing. But I'm not sure he's reached those heights again. He won, but he wasn't as good when he beat Sharjah at Aintree.
After that, he then won the Christmas hurdle at Kempton in 23 when he beat Rubaud, but it wasn't a blow- away performance. He missed 12 months then. He had a few setbacks. Now he was never injured, but he was still ill. He had colic, he had time in his stable, and like any athlete, horses are no different. When you miss time and you miss training, it's hard to be what you once were.
He won at Kempton this Christmas. I didn't think it was spectacular. He won here in January when he won the Unibet International Hurdle. It was a walk in the park for him, but it was a substandard contest. And I think he has it to prove.
If he's the horse he was two years ago, he will most likely win. But he has to be that horse, because Gordon Elliot's mare, while Lossiemouth didn't prove herself a Champion Hurdle horse, Brighterdaysahead most certainly has. She won the Morgiana when she beat State Man, and then she went to Leopardstown at Christmas for the Madison, and she blew the opposition away.
She was brilliant in Leopardstown, and she's on the rise. Whereas it's very easy to argue that Constitution Hill is stagnant, if not regressing.
I think it will be a cracking contest. I'm with the mare. I'm a believer in youth and a believer in the improver, and I think she'll give Constitution Hill all he wants of it.
Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 1320)
It'll definitely be an emotional roar with Michael O'Sullivan's name on the race. The O'Sullivans were delighted to have Michael's name put on the race. Between Cheltenham and Skybet they have changed the Supreme Novices to Michael O'Sullivan Supreme because he won the race a couple of years ago on Marine Nationale.
It is a fitting tribute to a very talented young man who sadly won't be at Cheltenham and sadly not with us anymore.
It's always a great race. Nice size field, Kopek Des Bordes sets the standard. You have Workahead for Henry De Bromhead, Romeo Coolio, William Munny, Willie Mullins has a couple of more including Salvator Mundi and Karbau but it'll be a good race.
Hard to oppose the favourite but there are always upsets in Cheltenham too - and there are four really short-priced race horses tomorrow afternoon and you can be sure the four of them won't win.
My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 1400)
Majborough does look really well since he travelled over. He was very good at the Dublin Racing Festival. I saw him this afternoon, actually, in the parade ring, and he was strolling around. Happy out in the environment and bit of rain fell as well, which wasn't forecast and that will definitely be a help for Majborough 's cause. He looks rock solid.
Touch Me Not could be the one to chase him home, L’eau Du Sud and Jango Baie the English representatives, but Majborough was really good at the DRF and it's hard to get away from him.
Ultima Handicap Chase (1420)
The Changing Man is probably the one to beat in a competitive handicap chase, and I think it will go to the home team.
Malina Girl is probably the best of the Irish, maybe Search for Glory has a chance, Lucinda Russell's Whistle Stop Tour, but that'd only be a token gesture. There are reasons the bookmakers have all the money. And most of them are handicaps.
Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1, 1520)
Jade De Grugy is probably the main opposition to Lossiemouth, but from a betting point of view, I'd say Kala Conti is the one at an each-way price, or Joyeuse, Nicky Henderson's. They probably make more appeal to me to be the ones to chase home Lossiemouth (above).
It's a horse race, anything can go wrong, so you're getting a bit of value about Joyeuse and a bit of value about Kala Conti. I do think Lossiemouth will win, but she has to go and do the job.
Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter) (1640)
I like Beyond Your Dreams. I think that she has a pair of cheek pieces on, JJ Slevin rides her. I think if she can jump a bit quicker, she's really well handicapped. I think she loved the place. I think the hustle and bustle of the race would really suit her. I think she's got a great chance.
Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase (1720)
This race used to be a novice. It's now a novice handicap, but it has a full field. So it's definitely benefited from the changes. I like Resplendent Grey for Olly Murphy. I think the step up in trip will really suit him.
