Are we there yet?
Well, almost, as horse racing lovers experience their own personal Christmas Eve once more. Presents come in the form of winners for punters and hundreds of thousands of them will descend on the Cheltenham Festival in the search or glory. But it’s not all about victory, the craic remains unbeaten as race-mad fans seek out more than the thrill of winning amid a swarm of tips and predictions.
Fans are itching for intel and Ruby Walsh is the man to provide it – the man who rode a record-breaking 59 winners at Prestbury Park before his retirement. And he is going through the alphabet to offer pearls of wisdom ahead of the four-day extravaganza getting underway. Here is what Ruby reckons punters must keep a close eye on.
Ais for Arkle Chase. The second race of the festival and one we hope Majborough will win for Willie Mullins.
Bis for Ballyburn. He has got the most natural ability in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
Cis for Constitution Hill. Still unbeaten, all eyes will be on him as he bids to regain the Champion Hurdle.
Dis for Dinoblue. She is certainly the one to beat this year in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
Eis for Ethical Diamond. Looks one of the Willie Mullins ones to watch.
Fis for Final Demand. He has shown a lot of promise and will be a strong contender in the Turners Novices’ Chase.
Gis for Galopin Des Champs. The Cheltenham Gold Cup champion will be going for a third successive crown this Friday.
His for Harry Cobden. The number one jockey for Paul Nicholls, and Paddy Power’s newest ambassador, I know he’ll be after a successful festival.
Iis for Ireland. The nation has claimed victory in the Prestbury Cup since 2019, with this year looking no different.
Jis for Jonbon. After missing last year’s festival, he will be looking to make amends in the Champion Chase.
Kis for Kopek Des Bordes. He had a breathtaking victory at the Dublin Racing Festival and it would take a feat to beat him in the festival’s opening race.
Lis for Lulamba. Favourite for the Triumph Hurdle which looks to be a battle against both East India Dock and Hello Neighbour.
Mis for Michael. After his tragic passing recently, we will all have Michael O’Sullivan in our thoughts, with the festival’s traditional curtain-raiser now staged as The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Nis for Nicky. Nicky Henderson is the only man who can bring the challenge for the home team, headlining with the mighty Constitution Hill.
Ois for Outsider. There are a fair few horses that are hiding in plain sight and I think could come into their own.
Pis for Paul Townend. With 34 festival winners under his belt, this year could see him close the gap on the festival’s second most successful jockey Barry Geraghty.
Qis for Quick Ground. If the ground is quick for the Gold Cup, Banbridge could be a fly in the ointment for Galopin Des Champs.
Ris for Rachael. She made history as the first female to win the Gold Cup back in 2022 and I am sure will be returning with high expectations.
Sis for Sixandahalf. One of the star attractions for me in the Mares Novices’ Hurdle.
Tis for Teahupoo. He is favourite to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for the second year in a row.
Uis for Upset. Anything can happen at the Cheltenham Festival.
Vis for Vanillier. He seemed to have lost his way a bit but after his win in Punchestown you can’t rule him out for the Cross Country Handicap Chase.
Wis for Willie Mullins. He is the most successful trainer of all time at the festival with over 100 wins and with no signs of slowing down.
Xmarks the spot. And the spot to be next week is in your local Paddy Power shop to take in all of the action.
Yis for years. It’s been 10 years since Annie Power’s famous fall at the Mares’ Hurdle in the 2015 Cheltenham Festival, but I still get reminded of it weekly.
Zis for Zero. The number of handicap chases Willie Mullins has won at the festival. Let’s see if he changes that this year.
● You can catch up with all of Ruby Walsh’s tips and thoughts on Cheltenham on Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast, while tickets for Paddy Power’s Cheltenham Fanzone at The Camden in Dublin next Friday can be purchased online.