Ruby: Irish won’t strike Gold

Ruby Walsh doesn’t expect an Irish horse to emerge victorious at next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Willie Mullins-trained Sir Des Champs, victorious in the Hennessy earlier this month, is the second-favourite for the race while First Lieutenant finished second behind Tidal Bay in the Lexus at Christmas and is available at 12/1.

Walsh, however, believes his mount, the Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti, is a more likely winner of jump racing’s blue riband.