Ruby Walsh: I’m happy with my Champion Hurdle tip and, if I’m wrong, so be it
I just wanted to make sure everything went right and it has gone right. I suppose when Blue Heron won in Wincanton it boosted the Kempton form, as he had him 17 lengths back in third that day. That made me think the form was starting to stack up.
There was something else that Willie said the other morning when we were talking about it. We were talking about the form and I said: “Faugheen hasn’t beaten anything” and he said “That’s not Faugheen’s fault”. And he’s right. He’s beaten what’s been put in front of him.
As I said, you just wanted to be sure everything went well and it has. You can only ride one and when that’s the case, it has to be the one you think will be first past that post. And I think the one to be on is Faugheen.
It just comes down to age really. I know Sea Pigeon won it at 11 but I think Faugheen is improving, I’ve been impressed with him in his work, I’ve been impressed with him on the track and I think he’s the new kid on the block.
You’d discuss it with a few people too. My father thought I was doing the right thing. A lot of times I’d be thinking out loud about it and it’s usually Gillian who’s around to listen. She agrees too.
So I’ve gone with the potential. I’ve gone with the young gun. I could be wrong but I’m happy with my decision and, if I’m wrong, so be it. You have to be on the one you think is going to win. There’s no point being on the other one and wishing you were on something else.
I have to say though that people used to talk about me having sleepless nights and that sort of thing. I can honestly say it wasn’t wrecking my head. I’m used to having to make hard calls over the last few years anyway. There was no pressure being put on me to make a decision either, which was great.
I flew over last night and there would have been two lots ridden out this morning. There are 30 horses there, with the next instalment coming over later in the week.
They won’t do much – a trot and a hack to loosen them up. A bit of a walk around to take in the surroundings, and that will be it. It is funny being there in the quiet of the morning, although there is plenty of activity. But it is nothing like the hive of activity around 1.30pm tomorrow when the tape goes up for the Supreme Novices.
Like I said on Saturday, it is a nice time too because all the dreams are still alive. You want them all to win but you realise the chances of four favourites winning on the first day of Cheltenham are very slim… they’re slim on the whole card, never mind the four you’re reading. If you could get one on the board, you’ll try to get as many as you can after that.
As for some of the horses, it’s worth saying that Vautour has really come to himself in the last fortnight. I’ve been delighted with his work. I think he will take beating now in the JLT Chase. He wasn’t right when he was beaten at Christmas and he was only coming back to himself in January. He only did what I asked him to do. Cheltenham has been his aim for a long time and I think we have him exactly where we want him to be now.
Annie Power has been on song for a while. She hasn’t missed a beat since coming back in the New Year after having her setback. The way the World Hurdle has cut up, it’s a pity she did have that setback and there was probably a slight temptation to run her anyway, but not having the race fitness over three miles would make it very difficult.
The Mares’ Hurdle is right down her alley and it is a Grade One in its own right. If I am having a very bad day, I would expect her to salvage it for me.
