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Ruby Walsh was one of the greatest jockeys to ever grace the game but he is also an extremely good pundit and horse racing expert. When he speaks, you listen. Walsh isn’t afraid to form an opinion and it has to be interesting that he has put up a 6-1 shot for the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in a few week’s time. Given Willie Mullins always runs several in the race, Walsh has good contacts at the yard so this could be telling.
Speaking on his Paddy Power blog, Walsh went down through a few runners in the Mares’ Hurdle but the one that he was most sweetest on was Willie Mullins’ Echoes In Rain who is a current 6-1 chance with the Irish firm.
When he was giving his verdict on the race, he stated: “Echoes in Rain was very good at Naas. Some might think that she was flattered by the opposition but I wouldn’t say that. Again, it was the class of contest. Cash Back went a decent enough gallop in front. Echoes in Rain was coming off the back of a heavy fall at Fairyhouse behind Teahupoo but I thought she jumped really well, she travelled really well and then she absolutely bolted in.
“I actually thought she was running a really good race when she fell behind Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. She was only just beaten in the Irish Cesarewitch by Waterville, so she’s a good filly. I don’t think 2m4f is a worry, she looked like she wanted further when you watch her in her 2m Grade 1 races. Both Paul Townend and Patrick Mullins thought she wants to be going up in trip.”
Sign up to Paddy Power below and take the 6s as she might be a lot shorter on the day. Best of luck!
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