Cheltenham Festival: Predictions from Walsh and McClean
DAY FOUR - FRIDAY
JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh: Willie Mullins has pretty much co-favourites in Blood Destiny and Lossiemouth and the third favourite in Gala Marceau.
Three really good horses and they will be really hard to split but I think Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny are very hard to split and I think whichever one Paul Townend rides will end up favourite and therefore make the other one a bit of value as crazy as that sounds.
Paul is riding Lossiemouth, Patrick is on Blood Destiny so Danny is on Gala Marceau.
I think the way the weather has gone, I'm going to side with Blood Destiny.
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
Donn McClean: I think Hiddenvalley Lake has a big chance. He was beaten last time by his stable companion but he probably didn't have the run of things there. He had to make his own running, he didn't jump that well, the ground was very soft and that has been a race that has been a really good pointer to the Albert Barlett Hurdle in the past.
So I think Hiddenvalley Lake on better ground and not leading with a strong pace to aim at then I think he could come into it.
Corbetts Cross is favourite for this, he won over two miles last time. He is a worthy favourite if he does go here.
Ruby Walsh: I'm a massive fan of one horse in this race and it’s Corbetts Cross. His danger is Three Card Brag but I think he could have been off in the Martin Pipe later in the card.
I think Corbetts Card could be a future star and I’m with him for Emmett Mullins and JP McManus.
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh: I do think it is a really good race. Rachael (Blackmore) was positive about A Plus Tard, Paul Nicholls has been very positive about Bravemansgame all week and to be