‘I’d say he is a fair horse’ – Ruby Walsh is keen on one at Punchestown on Thursday 🗣️

Ruby Walsh was arguably the finest jockey of his generation and has seamlessly made the transition into punditry. This makes him a man worth listening to and his connection with the Willie Mullins yard also helps. Walsh has been particularly complimentary about one particular runner at Punchestown on Thursday and the horse in question could be one to look out for. He has also alluded to where we might see this horse further down the line. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

‘He was very good on debut’

Ballyburn is the horse in question and he goes in the bumper at Punchestown on Thursday. Walsh gave a glowing assessment of him and he could be a smart sort. He said: “I’d say he is a fair horse – he was very good on debut when he won at Punchestown.” It was a smooth performance here in February; he breezed to the front and won very comfortably. The fact that his win came over course and distance is a plus and it bodes very well here.

‘I think Ballyburn is more of a stayer’

In Walsh’s opinion, we’re unlikely to see this lad in the Supreme at Cheltenham next year. The Ballymore or the Albert Bartlett could be more suitable targets as Walsh thinks he’ll need trip when he goes hurdling. He added: “I think Ballyburn is more of a stayer myself – I’d be surprised if he’s a Supreme horse, I’d be hoping he is, that means that through the summer with a summer’s grass, he’s improved speed wise as well as the stamina that he’s shown, but if you were pushing me right now, I’d be saying one of the longer novice hurdles.”

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