Cheltenham Festival
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16 Feb 13
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http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/walsh-reaffirms-fly-intentions-585010.html
Walsh reaffirms Fly intentions
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Ruby Walsh has reaffirmed his intention to ride Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
Walsh had the option of partnering the Paul Nicholls-trained Zarkandar, but will instead pledge his loyalties towards the 2011 Champion hero, who has won his last four starts for Willie Mullins.
“I am definitely going to partner Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month,” he told the Irish Examiner.
“The alternative was obviously Zarkandar for Paul Nicholls.
“Earlier this week Paul asked me which one of them I intended to ride at the Festival.
“He posed a straight question and I gave him a straight answer – Hurricane Fly.
“It is getting quite close to Cheltenham now and Paul needed certainty.”
Walsh believes the extra distance of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup could be the making of Sir Des Champs.
The leading rider is likely to partner the Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti in the Festival main event, but was particularly impressed by Sir Des Champs’ Hennessy Gold Cup defeat of Flemenstar over three miles.
He said: “I watched the Hennessy at Leopardstown from Newbury and formed the impression that the extra two furlongs of the Gold Cup are made for Sir Des Champs.
“Silviniaco Conti jumped and travelled great at Newbury, but did get tired.
“Paul assures me there will be buckets of improvement to come.”
Walsh reaffirms Fly intentions
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Ruby Walsh has reaffirmed his intention to ride Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
Walsh had the option of partnering the Paul Nicholls-trained Zarkandar, but will instead pledge his loyalties towards the 2011 Champion hero, who has won his last four starts for Willie Mullins.
“I am definitely going to partner Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month,” he told the Irish Examiner.
“The alternative was obviously Zarkandar for Paul Nicholls.
“Earlier this week Paul asked me which one of them I intended to ride at the Festival.
“He posed a straight question and I gave him a straight answer – Hurricane Fly.
“It is getting quite close to Cheltenham now and Paul needed certainty.”
Walsh believes the extra distance of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup could be the making of Sir Des Champs.
The leading rider is likely to partner the Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti in the Festival main event, but was particularly impressed by Sir Des Champs’ Hennessy Gold Cup defeat of Flemenstar over three miles.
He said: “I watched the Hennessy at Leopardstown from Newbury and formed the impression that the extra two furlongs of the Gold Cup are made for Sir Des Champs.
“Silviniaco Conti jumped and travelled great at Newbury, but did get tired.
“Paul assures me there will be buckets of improvement to come.”
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Replies: 7
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Thanks for that, AD.
I'd be on The Fly, too, if I were Ruby. |
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Why did he even bother telling us we all knew it anyway...
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I don't think Willie Mullins wants them giving much away just now. By the way, i think they're up to something with PA and Ballycasey. I think they're sending out the wrong signals intentionally. I bet you the 8s on PA for the 3miler get snapped up.
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Idd graeme, PA isn't quick enough to win a Neptune they know that, but are leaving it as late as possible informing us to keep the price for the stable staff and co. Can see it now, ballycasey has picked up a minor problem and will miss the fesitval. Were now going to run CF in the Neptune and move PA up to the 3 miler.
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Ladbrokes have there spies in a fair few camps, there not quoting CF in the neptune or PA in the AB, that's fairly surprising as I'd of thought a bookmaker would want to take money on a horse that ain't running in that race.
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Brooksie - if all 3 are fit, then i think that 'put away Willie' will run PA in the 3 miler, CF in the 2 miler and BCasey in the Neptune. He's a little toad of a man, but i can see what they're up to from a mile away. Didn't their so called 3 miler get backed for the Neptune before his last run ?
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Graeme I reckon your imagination is running wild. Can't see Ballycasey running in neptune. But as I often say I have been wrong before - many times
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