Walsh explains Rebel decision

RUBY WALSH has been expanding on his reasons for choosing Cornish Rebel from Paul Nicholls’ three-strong hand in Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

Walsh believes the eight-year-old’s unbeaten record at Newbury will play to his strengths and is hopeful of the Scottish Grand National second running a big race.

“I think I am going to ride Cornish Rebel who ran a cracker in the Scottish National when he was interfered with at the second-last, and that probably cost him the race,” Walsh said.

“He has a good record around Newbury. He has won a chase around there as well as a hurdle race and a bumper. He will probably have plenty of weight but hopefully he will run a big race.

“Colourful Life will have to improve a bit but Red Devil Robert is interesting. He travelled really well at Wincanton and looked all over the winner at the second-last but he didn’t quite get home.

“That was his first run and he will come on for it and he will be a super ride - he will travel and jump well and get you into the race but whether he will last home is questionable.”

Carl Llewellyn is hoping a clean round of jumping can see Redemption go close after Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 10-year-old fell two fences from home in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham two weeks ago.

“He would have a good chance barring accidents,” said Llewellyn.

Reflecting on the Paddy Power, he continued: “I think he was going very well until he fell and he would have had a good chance of winning.”

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup betting:

William Hill: 7-2 Trabolgan, 6-1 Comply Or Die, 8-1 Cornish Rebel, L’Ami, 9-1 Red Devil Robert, 10-1 King Harald, Our Vic, 14-1 Distant Thunder, Kandjar D’Allier, Lord Of Illusion, 18-1 Redemption, 20-1 Iris Bleu, 25-1 Celestial Gold, Forget The Past (doubtful), Joe’s Edge, 33-1 Ballycassidy, Jack High, Ross Comm, Run For Paddy, St Matthew, 40-1 All In The Stars, Colourful Life, Double Honour, Tribal Venture.

Ladbrokes: 7-2 Trabolgan, 6-1 Comply Or Die, 8-1 L’Ami, 9-1 Cornish Rebel, Red Devil Robert, 10-1 King Harald, 12-1 Our Vic, 14-1 Distant Thunder, Lord Of Illusion, Kandjar D’Allier, 16-1 Redemption, 20-1 Celestial Gold, Joes Edge, 25-1 Celestial Gold, St Matthew, Ross Comm, 33-1 All In The Stars, Ballycassidy, Forget The Past, Jack High, Run For Paddy, 40-1 Colourful Life, Tribal Venture, 50-1 Double Honour.