Legendary jockey Ruby Walsh fancies a 33-1 horse for the Cheltenham Festival

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 33-1 shot for the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in a couple of month’s time. Given Willie Mullins always runs several in the race, it’s interesting that he fancies one from another yard.

What is the horse in question?

Hailing from the Henry de Bromhead yard and sporting the familiar Honeysuckle silks, Walsh thinks Telmesomethinggirl is way overpriced for the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Ken Alexander is no stranger to success at the highest level, and Walsh thinks this mare could follow in the footsteps of Honeysuckle in a small way and win at the top table.

Winner of the Mares’ Novices Hurdle at the festival in 2021, Walsh stated on the Paddy Power From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast: “I think Telmesomethinggirl didn’t like jumping fences and you can write off her chase career.

“She was cantering in this race two years ago behind Marie’s Rock when she got brought down at the second last.

“She ran over hurdles at Leopardstown and she gave away a lot more jumping than she was beaten and that can often happen when you come back to chasing. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were to run a bigger race somewhere.

“She likes coming from off the pace and if she lined up here at a huge price 33-1, I think each-way she could run into something. I think Lossiemouth has the ability to stay and she’s my idea of the winner – and Willie’s best chance in the race.

“But does she make any appeal to me at 5-2 in an ante-post bet? Absolutely none, but at 33-1 Telmesomethinggirl does for something small.”

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