Ruby Walsh Cheltenham Festival Tips On Day One

1.30: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle ITV1 – FACILE VEGA @ 2/1 with Paddy Power
2.10: Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase ITV1 – SAINT ROI @ 8/1 with Paddy Power
2.50: Ultima Handicap Chase ITV1 – FANION DESTRUVAL @ 20/1 with Paddy Power
3.30: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy ITV1 – CONSTITUTION HILL/STATE MAN (forecast)
4.10: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle ITV1 – BRANDY LOVE @ 5/1 with Paddy Power & SHEWEARSITWELL (e/w) @ 16/1 with Paddy Power
4.50: Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle RTV – TEKAO @ 10/3 with Paddy Power
5.30: NH Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase RTV – GAILLARD DU MESIL @ Evs with Paddy Power

Note: Odds are subject to chance and are correct at time of publishing

Ruby Walsh Cheltenham Festival Tips On Day One: Tuesday 14th March 2023

See below the Ruby Walsh Cheltenham Festival tips on day one, as the ex-jockey and still leading rider at the meeting picks out his best bets on all seven races.

1.30: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle ITV1 – FACILE VEGA @ 11/4 with Paddy Power

Ruby expects the Willie Mullins-trained FACILE VEGA to bounce back to winning ways after flopping at Leopardstown last time out. Mullins has won 50% of the last 10 runnings of this Festival opener.

2.10: Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase ITV1 – SAINT ROI @ 15/2 with Paddy Power

Jonbon and El Fabiolo are the main players in the betting, but Ruby is siding with SAINT ROI for the value call. Another from the Willie Mullins yard so Ruby will know the horse well and runs for top owner JP McManus. Unseated last time in the Irish Arkle but was still in with a chance at the time.

2.50: Ultima Handicap Chase ITV1 – FANION DESTRUVAL @ 33/1 with Paddy Power

The Venetia William yard are no strangers to winning big-field handicap chases at the Festival. Ruby feels they got another chance here with FANION DESTRUVAL, despite top-weight of 12st. However, the horse has this big burden for a reason – he’s the top-rated in the field. Ran a fair 4th in the Ryanair Chase last season, but this will be easier.

3.30: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy ITV1 – CONSTITUTION HILL/STATE MAN (forecast)

No shockers here in the Champion Hurdle as Ruby – like the rest of Cheltenham – will be siding with CONSTITUTION HILL first and State Man second. We’ll find out at about 3:40 on Tuesday if he’s right!

4.10: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle ITV1 – BRANDY LOVE @ 11/2 with Paddy Power & SHEWEARSITWELL (e/w) @ 18/1 with Paddy Power

Some top mares heading to post here, and Ruby is pinning his hopes to two. BRANDY LOVE, for Willie Mullins who has a good record in the race, is his main pick. Brandy Love should be fitter for a recent third at Punchestown. While at a bigger price he feels another Mullins entry Shewearsitwell can outrun her odds.

4.50: Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle RTV – TEKAO @ 5/1 with Paddy Power

Another Mullins pick here for the 59 times Festival winning rider as he’s picking TEKAO. Owner JP McManus won this race 12 months ago and looks to have another good chance with this Mullins runner. Lightly-raced with just 4 runs and should find this easier than 3rd in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle last time. Looks the sort that could progress out of handicap company.

Ruby Walsh Cheltenham Tip 5.30: NH Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase RTV – GAILLARD DU MESIL @ Evs with Paddy Power

GAILLARD DU MESIL is not the quickest horse but has a touch of class. Third in the Irish Grand National last season so this 3m6f trip is fine. Yet another Mullins pick for Ruby but the yard won the spoils in this day one final race last season and he thinks they can again.

Bet On Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Tips

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Ruby Walsh Cheltenham Festival Tips On Day One: Including 20/1 Best Bet In The Ultima Chase

Andy Newton