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Ruby Walsh....

opatcho

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Location
40 minutes from Cheltenham, not close enough IMO
In my eyes, Ruby is the grand master at the Cheltenham Festival. Some may argue that he picks up the best rides, but what he does best is that he give his horse the best chance at winning.

I recall him winning on Yorkhill in the Neptune, and how he bagged the inside rail... he did it several times during that particular festival. The way he is able to ride from the front and dedicate....

My point being.... how much more does Ruby get out of the horses he rides, and how does this compare to the likes of Paul Townsend? Yes, Paul Townsend has been able to ride the majority going to the festival so if Ruby doesn't turn up then at least Paul has experience riding Mullins top picks. However, would you take 3-4 lbs off the horses OR/RPR with Paul onboard instead of Ruby

Paul Townsend is no mugged when it comes to the festival, he has picked up some winners... however those have mainly been on well handicapped horses or where he's picked up a 20/1 shot where there has been less pressure to win

Thoughts?

If you backed horses like getabird and footpad, would you be worried or less confident if Paul Townsend was on board?
 
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I'm assuming you mean Paul Townend rather than Patrick Mullins opatcho?

Patrick will only ride in the amatuer races and the bumper.... unless Mullins has 4 or 5 in a race

To answer your question... I'd ALWAYS be more confident if Ruby was on board...however Paul Townend is an excellent jockey and I wouldn't not fancy a horse because he was on it.
 
I always think Mullins steers Ruby off some on the Friday to give Paul a winner
 
I always think Mullins steers Ruby off some on the Friday to give Paul a winner

Really?

I can't imagine Ruby playing fair?
 
With the festival just two weeks away and Ruby not seen on a racecourse for months
Is it worth having a small punt on Paul Townend for top jockey ? 20/1
I know Ruby is riding out but his racecourse appearance keeps getting put back
he will have to convince connections he is 100%
 
With the festival just two weeks away and Ruby not seen on a racecourse for months
Is it worth having a small punt on Paul Townend for top jockey ? 20/1
I know Ruby is riding out but his racecourse appearance keeps getting put back
he will have to convince connections he is 100%

I suppose you're relying on Ruby not makign it at all.... rather than not being 100%.... as even at not 100% he'll still be on WIllie's best chance... which doesn't help Paul Townend?
 
I suppose you're relying on Ruby not makign it at all.... rather than not being 100%.... as even at not 100% he'll still be on WIllie's best chance... which doesn't help Paul Townend?

Yeah kev
I was thinking it would be worth a small risk in case Ruby didn't make it
 
For me personally, I don't think that he will make it back in time.It was posted by a forumite that he's walking gingerly still. He looks fed up to me in recent interviews and there's a not a glimmer of hope in his expression that says to me that he's had an assurance that gives him a positive outlook. I hope he does though as he's got a genius tactical mind and is still the best. Good health to him.
 
:)

Does Paul Townend put you off?

I think he does, especially in races where it could be close like the Arkle. If Ruby doesn’t make it and Townend doesn’t win on the likes of Getabird, Footpad... I’m sure a lot of people will blame the jockey and there’s may that feeling if “it would have won if Ruby was on it “

I think Ruby is 2/3 lbs better than Townsend -which could turn a win into a lose a the festival
 
For me personally, I don't think that he will make it back in time.It was posted by a forumite that he's walking gingerly still. He looks fed up to me in recent interviews and there's a not a glimmer of hope in his expression that says to me that he's had an assurance that gives him a positive outlook. I hope he does though as he's got a genius tactical mind and is still the best. Good health to him.

He makes it
And Wins the 1st 2 races for starters. Getabird footpad

Then goes on to win the
Ballymore next destination
Rsa al boum photo
Jlt invitation only
Gold cup kilultagh vic

He's got an excellent book of rides. Mullins best team he's had imo. And deffinately better than last years

No pressure ruby :)
 
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He looks fed up to me in recent interviews and there's a not a glimmer of hope in his expression

Nah, that's just his normal face
 
He makes it
And Wins the 1st 2 races for starters. Getabird footpad

Then goes on to win the
Ballymore next destination
Rsa al boum photo
Jlt invitation only
Gold cup kilultagh vic

He's got an excellent book of rides. Mullins best team he's had imo. And deffinately better than last years

No pressure ruby :)

Not for me

Douvan
Un De Sceaux
Faugheen
Annie Power
Nichols Canyon
Don Poli
Vautour
Djakadam
 
It's late enough to be reasonably accurate on his rides now.

Supreme getabird
Arkle footpad
CH faugheen
Mares Benie des dieux

Ballymore Next destination
Rsa al boum photo
Qmcc douvan
Bumper hollowgraphic (2nd choice)

Jlt invitation only
Ryanair un de sceaux
Stayers penhill/ bacardys
Mares novice laurina

Albert Bartlett duc des genievres
Triumph stormy ireland
Gold cup kilultagh vic



With just the graded races there. What a book of rides that is.
 
I would worry if Townend was on any of my horse and it would put me off yes, I am not a fan at all.
 
Yes, it is.. out of this world. I think he would ride Penhill in the stayers.
 
Not for me

Douvan
Un De Sceaux
Faugheen
Annie Power
Nichols Canyon
Don Poli
Vautour
Djakadam

Very good team 5 of them won 4 for ruby.

But The strength in depth this year is very strong imo.
 
Very good team 5 of them won 4 for ruby.

But The strength in depth this year is very strong imo.

Ya I'd agree, I think the year I stated Mullins had better quality but he's extremely deep this year.