Walsh warning for Flyer
For many Irish, Moscow Flyer is the banker of the meeting. He is the reigning two mile champion, having won the Arkle Trophy in tremendous style the previous year.
“This is going to be a hell of a race,” said Walsh. “I have huge respect for Moscow Flyer. He is a serious horse, capable of beating Istabraq over hurdles. But if anyone can turn him over it is Azertyuiop.’’
Walsh is no fool and well aware his charge has four lengths to find on his rival, on their running in the Tingle Creek at Sandown in early December.
Moscow Flyer was simply brilliant that afternoon and Azertyuiop appeared to face an impossible task narrowing the gap in the months ahead.
But Walsh had a ready explanation for the Sandown disappointment. “It was effectively his first race of the season. He and Mick (Fitzgerald) went their separate ways at the first at Exeter before that. Azertyuiop was fresh and very keen at Sandown and rushed his fences.’’
The seven-year-old, of course, subsequently produced one of the displays of the campaign when failing by a neck to concede Isio 19lbs in the Victor Chandler ’Chase at Ascot.
The fact that Isio bounded away with a valuable and competitive event at Newbury on Saturday didn’t exactly displease the pilot.
“That was a fantastic performance at Ascot,” said Walsh. “I was pushed a little wide on the turn-in and we were just outstayed by a horse getting a lot of weight.
“I couldn’t be confident Azertyuiop will win the Champion ’Chase, but neither can the Moscow Flyer camp! That’s the way I see it.’’
Walsh teams up with another Paul Nicholls inmate, Thisthatandtother, in the Arkle and has high hopes of also dashing Irish hopes, mainly in the shape of Kicking King.
“I really like him,” revealed Walsh. “He’s a serious ’chaser and this was always going to be his game.
“He and Azertyuiop are completely differerent. Azertyuiop can grind it out and go faster for much longer. Thisthatandtother will pick up and quicken.’’
Kicking King had Thisthatandtother well adrift in fifth spot when runner-up behind Back In Front in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Walsh believes it would be unwise to read too much into that. “Things simply didn’t go to plan. It was a messy start and I came off worst. I could never get into the race and had to ride him the whole way.’’
He has a healthy respect, however, for Kicking King and, indeed, Dessie Hughes’ Central House as well. Kicking King beat Central House, who made a couple of crucial errors, three and a half lengths in the Arkle Cup at Leopardstown in January.
Walsh partnered the front-running Mossy Green to finish fourth. “It rode a very good race,” said Walsh. “Mossy Green isn’t slow and I couldn’t believe how easily Barry (Geraghty) went past me on Kicking King.’’
Walsh confesses to being a big admirer of Sadlers Wing, which he has guided to win two from two over flights. “I think he could be exceptional over hurdles.”
Ruby would not be drawn into the ongoing debate as to whether Sadlers Wings should head for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, or the five furlongs further SunAlliance. “I have learned down the years to leave those decisions to the lads who are training the horses, they see them every day,” is his diplomatic response.
He added, however: “Sadlers Wings is the type who comes alive the further you go. That’s what you want, I’ve been riding him since he was a three-year-old and always thought he was a good horse.’’
Walsh teams up with Nicholls’ Rigmarole, who was far too good for Intersky Falcon at Wincanton, in the Champion Hurdle and described his improvement as “unbelievable.’’
Interestingly, though, he makes a case for a horse he has rejected, Mullins’ Davenport Milenium. “He hasn’t got the form in the book and I have allowed my head to rule my heart. But I’ve no doubt he has the ability. He wants good ground and I wouldn’t be surprised if he runs a real big race.’’
In any case, Ruby has little doubt they are all up against it taking on Rooster Booster, winner of the Champion Hurdle a year ago by 11 lengths.
Rooster Booster signalled just how talented a timber-topper he continues to be, humping 11-12 when beaten a short head by Geos in the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury.
“That was the best hurdle race run anywhere this season,” said Walsh. “It was an end-to-end gallop and even Tony McCoy remarked to me going down the back that we were going too quick.’’
The brilliant rider, amazingly, has no ride in the Gold Cup. “I’ll be watching it on telly,” he quipped.
One race in which he will definitely be in action is the Bumper, although Willie Mullins hardly simplified his choices when entering no less than 11 in the race yesterday.
“You know what they say, if you have three Derby horses you have none,” commented Walsh. “Having said that, Willie’s bumper horses do look above average.
“I won’t have the choice, I’ll be giving that back to Willie! My advice to punters is not to try and decide which of them is the best, but to back the stable to win the race.’’
Walsh, still only 24, is in his second full season going over and back across the Irish Sea, dividing his time between Ireland and Paul Nicholls.
Today, he heads to Hereford for just one ride, Venn Ottery, and will be back in Ireland tonight for the Cashmans’ Festival preview at Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.
“I love it, getting on an aeroplane for me is like going to bed, I just sleep.’’
A banker for the meeting? “Of the horses I am not riding, I would say Rooster Booster. Azertyuiop certainly isn’t a banker, but is the one I am most looking forward to riding.’’
