With the likes of Kauto Star, Big Buck's and Master Minded expected to provide the 30-year-old with big race wins; he is also going to have a book of rides elsewhere every jockey would dream of. Stable jockey to champion trainer Paul Nicholls and also riding for top Irish trainer Willie Mullins gives Walsh nearly a sneak in every possible race.
Along with the big three he will be aboard Celestial Halo in the Champion Hurdle, Poquelin in the Ryanair Chase for Paul Nicholls and then could sit aboard some interesting runners for Willie Mullins.
Walsh will undoubtedly face stiff opposition though and top of everyone's list to challenge him will be champion jockey AP McCoy. McCoy is arguably the greatest jockey of all time but has failed to get on the quality of horse that Walsh sits on at the Festival and will struggle to keep up with his good friend and rival.
However, with the ride of Denman in the Gold Cup, McCoy has been handed a peach of a ride there and with Jonjo O'Neill and JP McManus holding the champ's signature he could still grab a couple of winners over the four days and tackle Walsh for the title.
Barry Geraghty has always fared quite well at the Festival and this year will be no different.
Stable jockey to Nicky Henderson will hand the Irish star some exciting rides and he will have the difficult decision whether to jump off last year's Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi to ride ante-post favourite Zaynar for his boss.
I think Barbers Shop holds an excellent chance in the Ryanair Chase and could bag Geraghty a success and along with Petit Robin in the Seasons Holiday Queen Mother Champion Chase, Punchestowns in the RSA Chase and Riverside Theatre in the Irish Independent Arkle could give the 30-year-old a successful festival. |
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