dilemma for ruby ?

Cheers Slabster, wasn't aware of that.

Unless there is heavy in the going description the Fly won't be at Cheltenham

Faugheen jumping at CH pace is still an unknown remember...engine or not...he can't keep losing ground in that race.

Jezki and the new one aren't the best either !

I'm not sure what the popular opinion regarding Faugheen is but I would see him as much more a Stayers contender than a CH contender

Until punchestown I would have agreed with you,have you seen the race so you think ?

Ruby doesn't do dilemma's or sentiment, he'll ride whatever he thinks can win the CH. Unless the ground is unusually soft, can't see the Fly turning up at Cheltenham

The major thing against Faugheen over three miles is how hard he can pull in a race. Would have to be a big negative in a Stayers Hurdle. Another factor to take into account is that his best jumping performance came over two miles at Punchestown, so it could well be that he jumps better travelling at a faster pace. I find it odd that Faugheen's jumping is highlighted as a negative but The New One has had two season's hurdling now and his jumping leaves a lot to be desired.

TNO's jumping does get highlighted though....by his detractor's anyhow,to which I'm one....wouldn't tar jezki with the same brush though, he dispelled any doubts I had about him in this years race....how he is 11/2 and TNO is 7/2 is beyond me.

It'd be a very tough call if both go into the race unbeaten this season which is very much a possibility.

I'd send Faugheen to take on The New One somewhere and if he can tonk him that would help Ruby's decision.

Theres no dilemma, until Faugheen proves to be a major CH contender this season and HF gets soft(or worse)ground in march.And also at his age HF has to maintain his form of last week all the way to next March.
If all those things happen, he will have a decision to make.
My gut feeling is he wont have to make a decision.

I don't buy into this ruby doesn't do sentiment notion, as far as kauto was concerned he never got off of him for denman and I don't ever see him getting off of HF for anything else....even if he thought faugheen was stronger I reckon he'd want to be with HF come what may....I don't think he's as hard nosed as he or anyone else makes out, certainly not when it comes with a couple of horses that have played a massive part in his own story...so to speak.

No decision, Hurricane Fly ain't winning another Champion Hurdle, yes Faugheen still has to prove he is up to winning the a Champion Hurdle - if Ruby wants to give himself the best chance of winning the race he will be on Faugheen

Ruby clearly had a soft spot for Kauto, as he probably does for HF. However Kauto was never in a race where he had the option of picking a clearly better horse (you could argue 3m2f round Cheltenham suited Denman better, but there wasn't a lot in it). It's a little too early to say yet, but, if HF doesn't goes on winning in Ireland, he may be in the position where his favourite has a noticeably inferior chance this year. It'll be interesting to see what he does then.

Can see mullins taking the fly to aintree for the 2m 4f race there. They won't take him to Cheltenham this year.

^
agree with that stafford and if HF runs it is then where I suspect ruby will surprise a few by showing a surprising sentimental side and picking HF and if this is the case I suspect that mullins will want to sidestep the CH altogether with him and give him the back-up of one last punchestown run.

Aside from injury or sudden decline, the only other reason i can see Ruby NOT riding hurricane fly in the champion hurdle is good ground and even that might not stop them trying. Too many records on the line, too little opposition, too little time left with him. Dont buy that hes anything other than a 2 miler, or that Ruby would consider getting off him to ride a 2nd season, untested, multi-miler, however good faugheen looks.

If its fast ground, then hurricane places or needs some luck against 2 flawed horses. Slow ground hes got a huuuuge chance of winning it.

Hurricane Fly will run wherever the Riccis decide and yes I know they don't own him, but the stable revolves around there horses.

"their horses"

Have been reading this thread, and it is, as they say, one of the most ridiculous threads i've ever had the misfortune to spend my time however cheap it is reading it.

How do we know that these horses are going to be fit and well and even turn up in March Which is a full 4 months away and at least 9 races between each of them!

If i may add something into the mix, Ruby will ride Hurricane Fly if he gets to the Churdle. No doubt about it in my mind whatsoever! A past dual winner of the race, what jockey is going to get off to ride some 2nd season hurdler who will still have it to do on that famous Cheltenham 'Old' racecourse

Whos to know god forbid that even Ruby Walsh himself makes it to the festival He has missed 2 festivals in his career through injury hasn't he

Well if HF gets to run in the CH, then that would mean I imagine that hes proven over the season to be still up for it,so you could well be right STS.
Although last season he had proved that and he was well beat,and another year on...is he any better? Jezki and the TNO should be. And Faugheen may well be unbeaten.
Maybe Ruby will be thinking of all that?

Sea the stars for someone who thinks it's a ridiculous thread you have plenty to say on the matter,you dickhead

Certainly not a ridiculous thread, although i agree with STS that if Hurricane fly runs, then Ruby will be on him.

I dont think faugheen can have much say in that either - even if he laughed off Jezki and TNO before March (which is massively unlikely), walsh and mullins just need a sniff of a 3rd title with HF and that will be instant re-route for faugheen. Same as Annie Power/Quevega/HF last year.

Pretty confident with that but where it gets messy is what constitutes a sniff. Last I heard HF beat the current champ. The current odds baffle me for this race, so much confidence that HF cannot beat Jezki in March but 'will probably beat him over the winter'. Maybe true but its based on two races within 2 months!

Hurricane is a lot better in Ireland than at Cheltenham thats weird to say about a two time Champion hurdle winner, even the 2nd win was a real grind where he looked well beat. I just dont see him winning the champion regardless of what he does in small irish fields this year

With regards HF,i think it best to look at his form come the Spring then his form in Ireland during the wet winter.
How on earth is he going to be any better at his age come March than he was last March? He weren't injured as far as I know. He will be facing 2 horses that beat him last March,and 2 that will probably be still on the up.

Straight off the page i read HFs form as 11342 on g/s or faster (otherwise 11 wins) and Jezki as 31242 on soft or slower (otherwise 4 wins). Wont argue that Jezki gives more on fast and HF more on slow but I just dont see that or the two races last spring as conclusive proof that Jezki has the upper hand in the next champion hurdle. Maybe Jezki was in the form of his life last spring. Maybe Hurricane wasnt but everyone assumes his age has caught up with him. Maybe Jezkis hood loses some of its effect. Maybe it rains next March.
Maybe HF really cant win it again but just seems like the result 2 weeks ago has somehow confirmed peoples understanding to the point where the race wasnt just irrelevant, it actually REASSURES them that HF cant win next March!

Well for me personally,it's all about next March,not the race the other day. I expect fly to run well this winter as he normally does. Come March I expect him to be no better than he was last March.

@ anyone thinkin ruby would get on HF for sentiment in a CH, and desert something he considers to have a better chance. 364 days to their first birthday.

Graeme83 I'm with you,I think he would choose faugheen but I could easily see hf winning again over 2 in ireland !

I don't think the fly will even come to chelts, the main aim with him is to win these winter grade 1,s on soft

Cheltenham will not be the main target for Fly this year (just opinion) - Ruby would ride Faugheen if he went to Cheltenham unbeaten anyway without a doubt.

If you lot had your way, Kauto, Tidal Bay, waste of time, shouldnt have retired Istabraq why bother with the 3rd one? Best Mate, Moscow flyer - that was a serious waste of effort, didnt even win the 3rd one, Red Rum - too much weight should have stayed at home. Sprinter sacre got beat last year, probably time he went in the ryanair.

If he stays in good form and wins the winter races in Ireland, I think they will aim him at the Champion again. Why wouldnt you?

And Ruby will have a massive decision. Think he would go for Faugheen but dont think he would find it easy myself.

shockster 26 Nov 14 14:47 Joined: 26 Oct 05 | Topic/replies: 1,402 | Blogger: shockster's blog
Hurricane Fly will run wherever the Riccis decide and yes I know they don't own him, but the stable revolves around there horses.

Are you serious!! That is such a massively incorrect view. Ricci horses have had to move aside for Fly constantly. Even this season Faugheen doesn't get to go for all the big 2 mile races as Fly has first dibs.

Well you are talking about Hurricane Fly the flag bearer of the yard for last few years CV,doubt their are too many others in the yard that would get preference over Ricci owned ones.
There are a few people I know who are thinking Ricci is ruling the roost in the yard,what do you think mate? you seem to have the yard sussed as much as anyone.

I doubt he rules the roost in the yard. He probably has a hard enough time, in a non serious way, of getting his own way with his own horses, let alone dictating where other peoples horses go. His misses and mullins probably give him a run for his money when it comes to discussing targets. Throw ruby and patrick into the equation, and you can definitely struggle to see him getting his own way all the time. After a novice hurdling season, you don't have many races to get it right for their second season. Things can chop and change because many of their horses are adaptable distance wise, and have quality. Then you look at other big owners with mullins, and it must be real difficult trying to appease all the owners. It would be daft to not keep on side with the folks with good horses.

Sint,

No IF's, BUT's or WHY's whatsoever...Jockey arrangements will be decided the night before jockey declarations (fact).

If Ruby has a choice of a few fit & well horses (assuming he makes it ok himself) - only at that stage will he decide to ride HF.

Until then.....ridiculous thread, waste of time, no dilemma, duffy's right, just more noise - all apply.

16Nov14 Pun 16S 4y+ H(80K) 11-10[15/8] 1st of 5, 2.25L to Jezki R Walsh 165
02May14 Pun 16GY 4y+ H(200K) 11-12[1/1] 2nd of 3, 3.25L behind Jezki R Walsh 169
11Mar14 Che 16GS 4y+ H(418K) 11-10[11/4F] 4th of 9, 5.00L behind Jezki R Walsh 173 1
26Jan14 Leo 16SH 4y+ H(110K) 11-10[4/7F] 1st of 4, 1.5L to Our Conor R Walsh 175
29Dec13 Leo 16S 4y+ H(100K) 11-10[11/10F] 1st of 5, 2.5L to Jezki R Walsh 175
17Nov13 Pun 16Y 4y+ H(80K) 11-10[1/16F] 1st of 5, 1.25L to Marito R Walsh 175
26Apr13 Pun 16H 4y+ H(200K) 11-12[1/4F] 1st of 6, 7L to Thousand Stars R Walsh 173
12Mar13 Che 16S 4y+ H(400K) 11-10[13/8F] 1st of 9, 2.5L to Rock On Ruby R Walsh 172 1
27Jan13 Leo 16SH 4y+ H(110K) 11-10[1/6F] 1st of 5, 5L to Thousand Stars R Walsh 173
29Dec12 Leo 16S 4y+ H(85K) 11-10[1/5F] 1st of 5, 7L to Unaccompanied R Walsh 173
18Nov12 Pun 16H 4y+ H(80K) 11-10[2/5F] 1st of 3, Captain Cee Bee R Walsh 173
27Apr12 Pun 16H 4y+ H(160K) 11-12[4/11F] 1st of 4, 2.5L to Zaidpour R Walsh 173
13Mar12 Che 16G 4y+ H(370K) 11-10[4/6F] 3rd of 10, 5.50L behind Rock On Ruby R Walsh 173 1
29Jan12 Leo 16H 4y+ H(110K) 11-10[4/5F] 1st of 5, 6.5L to Oscars Well R Walsh 173
06May11 Pun 16G 4y+ H(160K) 11-12[1/2F] 1st of 6, 5L to Thousand Stars R Walsh 172
15Mar11 Che 16G 4y+ H(370K) 11-10[11/4F] 1st of 11, 1.25L to Peddlers Cross R Walsh  1
23Jan11 Leo 16S 4y+ H(110K) 11-10[4/9F] 1st of 5, 3.5L to Solwhit P Townend 166
29Dec10 Leo 16H 4y+ H(12K) 11-10[8/11F] 1st of 5, 2.5L to Solwhit P Townend 166
15Dec10 Fai 20S 4y+ H(85K) 11-10[11/4] 1st of 11, 1.5L to Solwhit P Townend 166
23Apr10 Pun 16G 4y+ H(170K) 11-12[3/1] 1st of 11, nk to Solwhit P Townend 157
15Nov09 Pun 16H 4y+ H(85K) 11-10[8/13F] 3rd of 4, 3.50L behind Solwhit P Townend 157
28Apr09 Pun 16S 5y+ H(100K) 11-12[4/6F] 1st of 8, 7L to Kempes R Walsh 157
15Feb09 Leo 18S 5y+ H(90K)  non-runner (lame)   
27Dec08 Leo 16YS 4y+ H(80K) 11-7[1/1F] 1st of 7, 10L to Go Native P Townend 
30Nov08 Fai 16S 4y+ H(90K) 11-7[2/1F] 1st of 8, nk to Donnas Palm P Townend 
07May08 Pun 16G 4-5y MdnHdl(12K) 11-4[9/10F] 1st of 22, 12L to Afasheen R Walsh 
28Jul07 Mai 10GS 3y F(115K) 9-2[15/1] 7th of 7, 0 behind Harland J Victoire

Most champion hurdle wins = 3 (Hattons grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, Sea You then, Istabraq)
Oldest winner = 11yo (Hattons grace, Sea Pigeon)
HF current form = just beat last years champion
Potential opposition = beatable

Of course there is a long way to go but at this moment, 28/11/14, if Walsh/Mullins default plan A position isnt to run HF and reroute fuagheen then that just isnt sport imo. Aiming faugheen as plan B = perfectly sensible

Sorry, ill shut up now

Ruby was on the Morning Line earlier and answered a tweet regarding this. He said whichever horse looked in the best shape on the Sunday before the festival is the horse he would ride - all sentiment goes out of the window.

I think it's worth remembering that Paul Townend will get the ride on any Mullins second string and he's no bad substitute. I can see too many complaining if he was to end up on either Faugheen or Hurricane Fly in a Champion Hurdle.

Everything on the line again for HF today

If he loses then all but ends his chance of glory in March.
If he wins (as many expect him to) then its keeping the dream alive which keeps Ruby on board imo

Still loving HFs champion hurdle price

Personally i cant see why fly wouldn't run on the Churdle at Cheltenham, different owners to Faugheen and surely they can't dictate simply on jockey decisions. Yes a difficult decision but am sure Ruby will choose the 21 grade 1 winner over the up and coming and there are plenty other decent jockeys out there to choose from. If i was Willie Mullins though i would take away the decision from Ruby and just tell him who he's riding, i.e the fly. Especially after that.

This is the way i see it

Faugheen Ruby Wlash, Mr p.w mullins, Townend ??
TNO - STD
Jezki - Mccoy
Hurricane Fly Ruby likeliest imo but also Mr p.w mullins, Townend ??

DOES HE NEED TO GO TO CHELTENHAM ...AINTREE?

Who? Faugheen?

I still don't think he'll go to cheltenham. There's no need now - just mop up winter G1's in Ireland

Most champion hurdle wins and oldest winner. Plenty of reason to go.

WPM just said HF us still their number one CH horse

BE FUNNY AS FECK IF FLY WON AND RUBY WAS ON FAUGHEEN

Had todays race have been at Cheltenham Arctic Fire might have beaten both. Unless the going gets very soft I would bet that Ruby rides Faugheen at Cheltenham. His price has in fact tightened after that.

The Fly is a remarkable horse he really is. 4 or 5 years now he has been the champion hurdler and is trying to be champ again this year. Ultra consistent.

Unless he runs poorly in the meantime I'll be amazed if Ruby doesn't ride Faugheen.

Seathestars I thought this was the worst thread you have ever had the misfortune to read,yet here you are commenting on it again,ruby   has a massive dilemma imo

I still think it is a bad thread to be honest and think my theory above is exactly what will happen if they all get there in good form

Harrington: "He seemed to be fine after the race so, all being well, we'll head on to Cheltenham and hope the hill will make a little bit of a difference."

Does that mean Jezki wont run again? Hope so as thats a better chance of HF going into March unbeaten.
If faugheen camp cant find a race against TNO before March then even better.

STS I agree.

Ruby Walsh will ride either Faugheen or Hurricane Fly.

The Fly runs in the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday 25th January, will miss Cheltenham and will be aimed at one last big race at Punchestown in April. Therefore, there will not be a dilemma for Ruby.

brandyontherocks • December 29, 2014 2:33 PM GMT
The Fly is a remarkable horse he really is. 4 or 5 years now he has been the champion hurdler and is trying to be champ again this year. Ultra consistent

GREAT POST

Ruby is going to ride a 14/1 shot over the 6/4 fav in the CH? Not a hope in hell unless Faugheen doesn't perform leading up to the race. imo.

The fly won't be in first 4 at Cheltenham if he decided to go and if u think he would win it more fool you. Don't get me.wrong he won some races but the races he did win at Cheltenham haven't been the greatest and anytime its.a.good gallop at Cheltenham he's been found wantwanting AMD this years race a stronger race than last years, if he does go over he's just making number up! If ruby pick hurricane over faugheen then the falls has had more affect that he's letting on! I agree joke of a thread its a no brainer

This years race a stronger race than last years


Can't have that at all.

Last year: MTOY, The New One, Jezki, Our Conor, Hurricane Fly. Pretty formidable line up.

If HF turns up and is fit and well absolutely no way is he a 14/1 shot. He will be half those odds as 4th fav and could even get backed into 3rd or even 2nd favoritism on the day due to his massive following and a reason why i have been laying Faugheen every time he gets below 2.4 on here, not laying off my 7/4, just merely playing the market, if i get stuck with a lay, so be it, will only be half my stake i have at 7/4

Just my opinion of course.

Mck30en I don't think anything will beat faugheen but what I said a the start of this thread will happen,ruby is going to have to make the hardest call of his career,I've called it on the 16th november,you might not see it coming but some people see things before they happen,that's what gives you an edge lol

Must admit that having watched WPM's interview when I got back from work, I was quite surprised at how he spoke and also his body language. It would be madness to me for Ruby to be on anything but Faugheen but, I do fear slightly that the sentimentally towards HF in the yard is much much greater than previously thought. There's also a precedent for Ruby thinking horses can come back in the case of Kauto Star with his Betfair Chase and KG wins. Still think he'll end up on Faugheen but the call will be much closer than their respective odds in the market

Some twenty two visits to the collect window I would imagine generates quite a bit of sentimentality tbf. He has been a dream horse and is heading for 2 million in winnings.

I dont see it as sentimentality. Its massive to win a champion hurdle but the next logical goal is to have the most successful champion hurdler in history. If they think Faugheen could win 3 or more then fair play get Ruby up, but hes already won at 3 miles and hes destined for chasing. HF has a second shot at champion hurdle immortality and the yard will probably never have another chance like it.

It looks like Jezki might go straight to cheltenham so if Hurricane can win the IC, then hes won all his preps and beat the current champion twice. TNO will go from Haydock to Cheltenham, while faugheen will sluice up somewhere but wont get to prove himself against any of the principles. The only way i can see to settle all this is to run faugheen in the Irish champion but i dont think they will.

HF will be backed into 2nd fav for the CH? Now you're really having a laugh STS. Bookies will be taking him on with both hands. imo

We surely can't have another running of the Fly for winning the Champion Hurdle can we?

How could he possibly do at 11 what he comprehensively couldn't do at 10?

Cheltenham still isn't his course and unless they move it it won't be in March either. If Ruby is on him then it is purely down to sentiment and I'd be surprised.

If the Fly could win another CH, it would be up there with Kauto's last Betfair and King George after he'd been written off.

This is a no bet race for me, but I'll be screaming for the Fly as loud as I can and I'd hope most neutrals do.

Faugheen and The New One will have their day, but there's nothing better than seeing the old guard flooring the up and coming superstars.

This is the first year that the Fly's team can come over with the pressure off and not have the wait of expectation on their shoulders as he has no more to prove and owes nothing.

*weight of expectation. C- from my English teacher there!

Wellchief wrt the festival wait is probably a more appropriate word - by the time it comes round every year we are all nearly worn out.

How could he possibly do at 11 what he comprehensively couldn't do at 10?

Eeternal has nailed it there.

He wont be any better in March than he was this March,and he was well beaten.

Wont run imo

They'd be fools not to let him take his chance.

Not saying he'll win at all, but with 2 G1 wins over the current champ, he's earned his spot more than anyone else.

He's shown he's still got the appetite for it.

Fools?? Really ??

Yes he doing the stuff in the Irish Winter as per normal, but Cheltenham totally different and last time there should tell them to leave it imo

Why not wait for Aintree, be better than getting well beat again.

Champion Hurdle should be the very best 2 milers from both Britain and Ireland, all going for the biggest prize, and despite his age, he is definitely in that category.

Its these old ones coming back year after year that makes NH racing great, so it'd be a big shame if they put an Aintree hurdle over a crack at the Champion again.

As I said, he owes nothing, there'll be no pressure, so if he comes fourth then so be it.

There's the Aintree Hurdle there for Hurricane Fly, probably wouldn't have the same quality of opposition and the extra half a mile would help him at this stage of his career - you'd think.

Having said that, I'd be inclined to let him take his chance in the Champion itself. The great horses should always be allowed their swansong and I think it's low risk letting him line up. If they went there hoping for a top 3 would that be overly ambitious? I don't think so. If he wins the Irish Champion, he's more than earned his place in the line-up. Nobody can argue he's not in the top 4 2m hurdlers this season either.

Oh yes I totally agree the very best 2 milers should be going there,but the problem with the Fly is hes got stuffed last time in the race and now he will be 11.
Cheltenham never been his best track,his pure class has won him 2 Churdles,but hes not as good now to win at Cheltenham again, and connections will know that.
Still as you say Chief, maybe they will let him run and finish 4th.

Ps - sorry, don't mean to sound like I'm calling you a fool for saying you'd skip Chelt Budd!

Its just if I was his owner I wouldn't think twice.

been called a lot worse!!

did not take it that way anyway mate

I just can't see them not running him. Even astute judges like WPM and Ruby have a bit of a blind spot with this horse IMO, and think he is still capable of winning a CH. He just any horse to be fair, and the chance at creating history will be too much for them.

You can't blame them either. Even if he has had his optimum conditions, he has still beaten the current Champion hurdler fair and square. Twice.

I will be genuinely amazed if he isn't lining up in the CH.

* isn't just any horse.

IMO for what it's worth, they should run in the Irish Champion and then only run again if it is genuine SOFT ground or he will be beat for certain.  They could even ease off and give him an extended holiday after the Irish Champion until next October.

I may be wrong, but I don't recall seeing any other horses in the same colours as the fly, so its not like a Ricci or a Gigginstown when they can roll them out year after year.

If it is a small owner who has him, I think that makes it even more likely that he'll go as it might be their last chance.

Hurricane Fly is probably passed his best,and l see no reason for Ruby to choose him over Faugheen

Just seen the leopardstown race again,didnt realize Arctic Fair so close,so maybe the form of race isn't worth two bob,but l will put my head on block by saying Jekzi will beat the fly at Cheltenham as long its not a bog [highly unlikely ]

baNjackst • January 1, 2015 1:25 PM GMT 
01/01/2015 micks quote - Ruby will leave it till the Sunday before Cheltenham to decide on whether to ride Faugheen or Hurricane Fly. Bookmakers and punters beware. Is this b...s..t to continue into the new year. GAFL Mick

baNjackst • January 1, 2015 2:51 PM GMT 
Stop talking the obvious pra tt, of course decisions are made b4 declarations. Go embarrass yourself and ask for odds on ruby riding hurricane fly ( all been well with faugheen ) in this years champion hurdle. The chances of the fly going to cheltenham must be remote never mind ruby having to make a choice. How many clowns are there. If ruby had to make a choice this year the fly wouldn't have been one of the selections.

Worst thread ever. Would you ride an old granny over an eastern european supermodel

Nor me.

By the looks of you I don't think you would get the choice,ruby is going to have to make the hardest choice of his career !

One will have a serious chance of winning....the other wont.
Hardly a hard choice to make.....unless his heart rules his head of course.

Ruby's heart will not rule his head !

Ruby was asked after faugheen won his last race would he be riding it in the champion hurdle,and his reply was "There are other champion hurdle horses in the stable"

what did you expect him to say?

It's a load of tish.

Ruby was never going to say "I'm definitely riding Faugheen as he loads better than anything else" and knock his beloved Fly.

His mind is made but will wait until the last minute to stay loyal to the horse and owner.

He will definitely be on Faugheen if he is there and fit to race.

but brandy ,you are forgetting the three legged horse that can destroy the other two on the gallops,if the stories going round county kildare are correct.in fact the three legged girl has only lost one of her 13 races over hurdles,and that was over 3 mile first the time,and pulled Ruby's arms out for the first mile and a half,and kept trying to remove ear plugs from her ears during the race.

Ruby knew at punchestown last year what he'd be riding in this years champion hurdle (all being well). There is no dilemma. Have the persons who believe he has a dilemma not yet watched last years champion hurdle when a 10 yr old h/f struggled. Is it a case of people only been able to remember the most recent running. I be amazed if an 11 yr old h/f goes to cheltenham this year. As for Ruby, he is all head when it comes to racing, he leaves whatever heart he has at home. So to the persons who believe that a dilemma exist concerning ruby's ride, well I don't know what to say to you because theres no point sorry.

would be shocked if Ruby wasnt on Faugheen all things considered...The Fly has every right to take his chance he could well nick 3rd if things go right for him but I really cannot see him winning and I love the horse!

I'll be shocked if The Fly turns up at Cheltenham. Don't think WPM wants to tarnish his image. Will wait for Punchestown and be fresh IMO.

I think its all about the going ,if its heavy I would back the fly in the Champion

how would it tarnish his image? it would tarnish his image more if wpm doesn't run him essentially conceding he can't win

I don't think it would tarnish his image personally, but I don't think WPM likes to see him get beat, and I don't see how he can win. Just my thoughts and could be way off.