Ruby Walsh expects another GREENWASH at the Cheltenham Festival and backs Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup…saying the seven-year-old is made for it!’
- Ruby Walsh expects another greenwash at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival
- Walsh predicts a 19-9 Prestbury Cup win for those who travel over the sea
- Walsh also backs Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup at Cheltenham 2023
Ruby Walsh is hoping for another green facelift at Cheltenham this year, forecasting a 19-9 Prestbury Cup victory for those traveling across the Irish Sea.
The Cheltenham Festival kicks off on Tuesday 17th March, with the best horses, trainers and jockeys going head-to-head during four days of extraordinary racing.
The rivalry between British-trained runners and those they cross paths with from Ireland has become a central theme of the festival.
Thus, the two nations will meet over the Prestbury Cup, named after the nearest village to Cheltenham Racecourse.
The Cup, which has been sealed with a piece of Cheltenham grass, will be awarded to the jockeys and trainers of the winning nation.
Ruby Walsh is hoping for another greenwash at Cheltenham this year, predicting a 19-9 Prestbury Cup victory for those traveling across the Irish Sea.
Walsh backed Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival next week, stating the seven-year-old is “made for it”.
So with the above in mind, Paddy Power spoke to Ruby Walsh to determine who will emerge victorious from Festival 2023.
Speaking to bookies, Walsh said: “The UK will win some of the championship races but that will plug the cracks.”
‘For me it’s a green facelift because Ireland have the most entries in the novice and bumper races. Those horses are the future and most of them are in Ireland.’
Walsh backed Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival next week, stating the seven-year-old is “made for it”.
Walsh said: “The further Bravesmansgame went in the King George, the more impressive he was. I don’t care about the track. He was put up at Ballymore behind Bob Olinger – he’s a much better horse now.
“He is a great rider, but given the choice, I would ride Galopin Des Champs all day, every day. It’s tailor-made for it.
‘As always in Gold Cups, a player who stays will get involved. I thought he would be Noble Yeats all year and I still think he will be Noble Yeats.
“He gave Ahoy Sir £3 in the Cotswold Chase, he wasn’t beaten, cheeks are turning and I think he’ll change form with Ahoy Sir and get the money.”
However, Galopin Des Champs, ridden by Paul Townend, fell in the Turners Novices’ Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival last year.