Ruby Walsh: If I knew then what I know now about Cheltenham

Cheltenham's winningest jockey on the secret creases of Prestbury Park, the difference between a rookie pilot and a wily old jockey. And how you painfully learn the absolute dos and donts over the course and distance

RIDE TO WIN: Don’t ride to not lose. Not being cautious only cost Ruby Walsh at Cheltenham on Annie Power but won races for him many times, including on Quevega. Pic: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE

Youth versus experience? It cuts two ways, even in horse racing: It's flair v knowledge, carefree v scared, naive v wily. Both have their advantages and shortcomings, but being able to ride the race, not the occasion, is the same as playing the game, not the event. It ultimately doesn't matter what is at the finish line or the full-time whistle; a race is a race. A game is a game.

The Supreme is a two-mile novice hurdle, the Champion a two-mile conditions hurdle, just like every other one run, week in week out. The title changes how some people approach it, but why?