Ruby Walsh: Gold Cup call not ‘life or death’

Ruby Walsh admits he faces a Gold Cup dilemma but insists choosing between Djakadam and Vautour won’t be a “life or death” decision.

Djakadam chased home Coneygree in last year’s renewal while Vautour ran his rivals ragged in the JLT Novices’ Chase.

However, they will return to Cheltenham with questions to answer after Djakadam fell in his prep race in January while Vautour was nailed on the line in the King George at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, a defeat that raised questions over his stamina.