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Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rachael Blackmore's net worth and the staggering amount of prize money she won
Rachael Blackmore has called time on her incredible career as a jockey. The Grand National-winning rider announced on Monday that she was retiring from the saddle with immediate effect as she penned a shock statement. Blackmore enjoyed many triumphant days, winning the Grand National in 2021 on Minella Times and tasting victory 18 times at the Cheltenham Festival, including in all four feature races - the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle. She won the last of those races this year when partnering Bob Olinger to success on the Thursday of the famous meeting. It completed a 152/1 double on the day after Blackmore steered Air Of Entitlement to win the Mares' Novices' Hurdle earlier in the day. While the exact net worth of Blackmore remains undisclosed, she has reportedly raked in around €11million in prize money throughout her illustrious career, as per At The Races. According to the PJA, jockeys typically pocket about ten per cent of the winning prize. A substantial portion of these winnings, specifically €7m, were bagged in Ireland where she secured three Irish Champion Hurdles from 2021 to 2023 on the famed mare, Honeysuckle. Blackmore steered A Plus Tard to a whopping €420,000 in prize money when they clinched the Gold Cup in 2022. Another significant payday arrived in 2024 when Captain Guinness triumphed in the Champion Chase, scooping up €270k in the process. The jockey also netted over €218,000 for Bob Olinger's connections by winning the Stayers' Hurdle in March of this year. Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Beyond those mounts already mentioned, Blackmore claimed victory in the Champion Bumper in 2021 with Sir Gerhard, while also guiding Quilixios to the Triumph Hurdle, Allaho to the Ryanair Chase, Bob Olinger to the Baring Bingham, and Telmesomethinggirl to the Mares' Novices Hurdle that year. In 2024, she seized her first win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Slade Steel. Blackmore consistently demonstrates her ability to excel under pressure, asserting that it often leads to dazzling outcomes for her. Betfair ambassador Blackmore, praised the Cheltenham Festival for her series of fortunate events: "It's just been a very lucky place for me. I've got to ride some very good horses there, and you know Henry de Bromhead, his horses seem to go there and run fantastic races, and you're just very lucky when you get to be on their back. "I think riding, every jockey wants to ride on the big stage, in the big races, on the big days, and Cheltenham is our, it's been said before, it's our Olympics, and that's where every jockey starting off wants to get to, so I'm very lucky that I get to ride horses in Cheltenham and I feel like I'm in a very lucky position to get to do that. "Pressure is part of it, but you want to be under pressure because you know if you're under pressure, it means your horse has a very good chance, and they're the horses you want to be riding, so it is pressure, but you know you just have to deal with it and almost be grateful for it."
Irish Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Punchestown Festival day 3 tips: Robbie Power's selections for Thursday
The Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (6.00) looks a good opportunity for Teahupoo to return to winning ways after finishing second to Bob Olinger at Cheltenham. He has done nothing wrong all season. He found Lossiemouth too good in the Hatton's Grace before bumping into course specialist Bob Olinger, who is gone to the field on his holidays, at Cheltenham. Teahupoo won this race last year and I think he'll be very hard to beat under Sam Ewing for Gordon Elliott. Robcour's other runner Hiddenvalley Lake was very impressive when winning at Aintree earlier this month and it looks a match between him and Teahupoo, with the latter fancied to come out on top. He'll be fine on the ground. He won on this sort of ground before so I don't see it being an issue. Rocky's Diamond ran a very good race for Declan Queally and Shane Fitzgerald when fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. He's only a five-year-old and is one open to further improvement in today's feature. Kap Ouest is an interesting runner in today's opening race, the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle at 2.30, for Harry Fry, who has a good record with his runners at Punchestown, but The Other Mozzie is the one I like here for Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. He won over fences at Ayr on Scottish Grand National day off a mark of 138 and is 19 pounds lower over hurdles. It doesn't always add up, but it's hard to overlook him and the other one I like the look of is Janes Harbour for Joseph O'Brien and Aidan Kelly, who is towards the bottom of the weights, with the jockey claiming five pounds off him. With 23 runners, they'll go very hard in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase at 3.05. Tullyhill has been disappointing over fences and it's hard to fancy him, but I do like Jasko Des Dames for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O'Keeffe. He'll love the drying ground, is only a six-year-old and ran a very good race in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham when fifth behind Jazzy Matty. He's a great each-way bet in this. Vanillier runs in the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase at 3.40 and was very impressive over the banks here back in February. With the master of the banks on his back, he'll be very hard to beat in today's third race for the Cromwell and Donoghue team. Custom Taylor is my fancy for the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle at 4.15. He's snuck in here as bottom weight after being very game and very gutsy to win at Fairyhouse nine days ago. If that race hasn't left a mark, he should be very competitive here. It's very hard to look past Sixandahalf in the Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle after she was narrowly beaten by Air Of Entitlement at Cheltenham. This two-mile trip should really suit on this track and on ratings, she comes out well on top. In the first of today's Grade 1s, Barberstown Castle Novice Chase, Majborough looks set to go off a very short-priced favourite for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh. Would I be backing him at 2/5? Probably not. His jumping cost him victory in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham. He is by far the classiest of these horses and with a clear round of jumping he will win, with Only By Night expected to chase him home. And Ksar Fatal looks the pick of Willie's in the bumper at 6.35, with Patrick taking the ride. He should take all the beating after winning on his racecourse debut at Gowran Park back in March. Bet of the day - Sixandahalf - 4.50
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rachael Blackmore's ‘magical' double leads Irish surge on St. Patrick's Thursday
Rachael Blackmore ended her 2025 Cheltenham Festival drought with a delightful double that kickstarted a green wave of Irish winners on St. Patrick's Thursday. Blackmore, the first woman to become leading jockey at the festival with six victories in 2021, had endured a lean opening two days with only last year's Champion Chase winner, Captain Guinness, giving her hope of victory only to finish third. And, her day three rides offered little promise of success with the bookmakers offering high odds for all three of Envoi Allen, Air Of Entitlement and Bob Olinger before racing began. Riding the latter two to victory delivered Blackmore more success at this 'magical' meeting and helped the Irish trainers to win five of the seven races. Blackmore's first win came courtesy of a superb ride atop Air Of Entitlement in the Ryanair Mares' Hurdle. Kicking off the day in fine fashion, Blackmore held Air Of Entitlement just behind the leaders and never allowed them to get too far out of sight. Jockey Keith Donoghue rode the favourite, Sixandahalf, and kept her close to the front before spurring her on down the hill. At the turn for home the contenders made their move with an increase in pace that Blackmore and her charge matched. There was still work to do though as the, now, 18-time Cheltenham winner, trailed over the final hurdle. With the crowd raucous with cheers and applause Blackmore galvanised the 16/1 Air Of Entitlement up the hill, drew level with Sixandahalf then nudged ahead in front of the grandstand to win by half a length. "It's a magical place to be,' reflected Blackmore after her win. 'She was brilliant and did really well and came through lovely. I want to dedicate this win to my cousin Robert who died at the weekend. His funeral was today. "We have had a quieter two days. I felt like I had been spoiled the last few years but Henry [De Bromhead, Air Of Entitlement's trainer] does such an incredible job and I am very lucky to be on some of their backs." After consecutive British victories, the second Irish win of the day came in Ryanair Steeple Chase which was earmarked as a potentially interesting encounter with a mix of quality racehorses taking to the field. Impressive French horse Il Est Francais joined last year's winner Protektorat and Gold Cup challenger Jungle Boogie but it was Fact To File who took the spoils. Willie Mullins had thought of placing Fact To File in Friday's Gold Cup but decided this race suited him better. He was right. Jockey Mark Walsh rode a splendid race, positioning Fact To File alone in fourth and allowed Il Est Francais, on his first ride at the Cheltenham Festival, to tire himself out challenging for the lead. With two fences to go Walsh moved to the outside, using the downhill slope to his advantage and leapt into the lead heading into the final straight. His competitors could not respond. They fell behind and Fact To File, a 6/4 favourite, cruised home to thunderous applause from the spectators. Amid a plethora of punters dressed in green and gold to celebrate an early St. Patrick's day, the Irish surge had truly begun. Blackmore's second victory, in the champion race Stayers' Hurdle, was equally as impressive as her earlier one. And eerily similar. Holding Bob Olinger steady in the middle of the pack she utilised the quicker pace of the downhill drive to the final turn to close the gap on the 7/4 favourite Teahupoo. Drawing ever closer to the leader, Blackmore and her charge leapt into the lead over the last hurdle and had enough momentum to carry them up to the line for at win at 8/1. "I'm very lucky to be on this horse. He is brilliant. He has so much speed and could use it,' Blackmore revealed post-race. 'They went at a good gallop, but he could still pick up when it was needed. He is unbeaten around here.' Jagwar then claimed a fourth win for the Irish, and one for owner JP McManus, with a perfectly timed burst in the TrustATrader Plate while Daily Present triumphed in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup, a race which featured Michael O'Sullivan's younger brother Alan. Though British trainers only won twice on a tough day both horses were noteworthy stories. Caldwell Potter was an emotional winner for Sir Alex Ferguson. He triumphed in the Jack Richards Handicap Chase having led from the front the entire way round the course. Ferguson co-owed the horse with his friend John Hales who died aged 85 in January. And, Doddiethegreat was a jubilant victor in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle following a late charge to pip 11/2 favourite Jeriko Du Reponet to the line. The horse was named after Scottish rugby great Doddie Weir, who passed away after a battle with motor neurone disease. The £47,344 prize fund will be donated to the Doddie Weir Foundation to support those dealing with MND.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham results in full: Every winner from 2025 Festival and today's racecard and runners
Cheltenham Festival is back as the horse racing season gathers pace with the four-day spectacle one of the highlights of the sport's calendar. The Festival began with Champion Day before Style Wednesday and then St Patrick's Thursday, with Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday. An action-packed festival last year saw trainer Willie Mullins dominate with jockey Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs to victory in one of the most prestigious races in the world. The trainer led Ireland to another prolific week overall, claiming the Prestbury Cup over the UK by an 18-9 scoreline. You can find all the latest Cheltenham odds and free bet offers with Independent Sport, and here is the full list of winners and scheduled race card: Thursday, 13 March - St Patrick's Thursday 1.20: Ryanair Mares Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) Race conditions: £105,000 | 2m1f | 8 hurdles | New Course Runners: Air Of Entitlement; Aurora Vega; Bluey; Brendas Asking; Disco Dancer; Diva Luna; Hollygrove Cha Cha; Jane Eire; Jubilee Alpha; Just A Rose; Karamoja; Karoline Banbou; Kimi De Mai; Kitty Foyle; Lagertha; Magic McColgan; Maughreen; Metkayina; Mystical Goddess; Queen St Clair; Sixandahalf; Tour Ovalie; Venuisienne; Galileo Dame 2.00: Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase (Grade 2) Race conditions: £125,000 | 2m4f | 17 fences | New Course Runners: Springwell Bay; Firefox; Caldwell Potter; Dee Capo; Answer To Kayf; Asian Master; Insurrection; Nurburgring; O'Moore Park; Anyway; San Salvador; The Other Mozzie; What's Up Darling; Pic Roc; Densworth; Moon D'Orange; Lord Of Thunder; Es Perfecto; Ryan's Rocket; Shanbally Kid; Galunggung; The Famous Five 2.40: Pertemps Final (Grade 3) Race conditions: £100,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course Runners: Thomas Mor; Karl Des Tourelles; Bugise Seagull; Win Some Lose Some; Harbour Lake; Supreme Gift; D Art D Art; Feet Of A Dancer; Lucky Lyreen; Jeriko Du Reponet; Patter Merchant; Henri The Second; Will The Wise; One Big Bang; Super Survivor; J'Ai Froid; Maxi Mac Gold; Shanagh Bob; Doddiethegreat; Catch Him Derry; Guard The Moon; Zain Nights; Idem; American Sniper 3.20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £375,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course Runners: Djelo; Envoi Allen; Fact To File; Hang In There; Heart Wood; Il Est Francais; Jungle Boogie; Master Chewy; Protektorat 4.00: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £325,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course Runners: Bob Olinger; Buddy One; Crambo; Franciscan Rock; Ga Law; Gowel Road; Home By The Lee; Langer Dan; Lucky Place; Mystical Power; Nemean Lion; Rocky's Diamond; Teahupoo; The Wallpark 4.40: TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course Runners: Conflated; Ginny's Destiny; Jordans; Fugitif; Path d'Oroux; Shakem Up'arry; Il Ridoto; La Malmason; Masaccio; Gemirande; Seddon; Tahmuras; Jagwar; Thecompanysergeant; Personal Ambition; Riaan; Mars Harper; An Peann Dearg; Demnat; Individualiste 5.20: JRL Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Listed) Race conditions: £75,000 | 3m2f | 21 fences | New Course Runners: Fantastic Lady; Yeah Man; Sa Majeste; Johnnywho; Gelino Bello; Mint Boy; Weveallbeencaught; Cleatus Poolaw; Manothepeople; Sine Nomine; Git Maker; Nine Graces; Midnight Our Fred; Music Of Tara; Where It All Began; Westerninthepark; Wiseguy; Daily Present; Galop De Chasse; Now Where Or When; Pats Fancy; Grozni; Walking On Air; Dom Of Mary Friday, 14 March - Gold Cup Day 1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m1f | 8 hurdles | New Course 2.00: BetMGM County Hurdle (Grade 3) Race conditions: £98,370 (2024) | 2m1f| 8 hurdles | New Course 2.40: Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2) Race conditions: £120,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course 3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course 4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) Race conditions: £625,000 | 3m2½f | 22 fences | New Course 4.40: St James's Place Hunter Chase (Listed) Race conditions: £50 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course 5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle Race conditions: £75,000 | 2m4½f | 10 hurdles | New Course Results so far Tuesday, 11 March - Champion Day 1.20: Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1 ) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m½f| 8 hurdles | Old Course Winner: Kopek Des Bordes (4/6F); 2) William Munny (8/1); 3) Romeo Coolio (9/2) 2.00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £200,000 | 2m | 13 fences | Old Course Winner: Jango Baie (5/1); 2) Only By Night (25/1); 3) Majborough (1/2F) 2.40: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Race conditions: £150,000 | 3m1f | 20 fences | Old Course Winner: Myretown (13/2); 2) The Changing Man (7/1F); 3) Malina Girl (14/1) 3.20: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £120,000 | 2m4f | 10 hurdles | Old Course Winner: Lossiemouth (4/6F); 2) Jade De Grugy (5/1); 3) Take No Chances (22/1) 4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £450,000 | 2m½f | 8 hurdles | Old Course Winner: Golden Ace (25/1); 2) Burdett Road (66/1); 3) Winter Fog (150/1) 4.40: Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Race conditions: £80,000 | 2m½f | 8 hurdles | Old Course Winner: Puturhandstogether (17/2); 2) Robbies Rock 50/1; 3) Liam Swagger (12/1 ) 5.20: National Hunt Chase Race conditions: £200,000 | 2m | 13 fences | Old Course Winner: Haiti Couleurs (7/2F), Rock My Way (16/1), Will Do (12/1) Wednesday, 12 March - Style Wednesday 1.20: Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m5f | 10 hurdles | Old Course Winner: The New Lion (3/1); 2) The Yellow Clay (5/2); 3) Final Demand (6/4F) 2.00: Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £200,000 | 3m½f | 20 fences | Old Course Winner: Lecky Watson (20/1); 2) Stellar Story (22/1); 3) Better Days Ahead (13/2) 2.40: Coral Cup (Grade 3) Race conditions: £100,000 | 2m5f | 10 hurdles | Old Course Winner: Jimmy Du Seuil (16-1); 2) Impose Toi (13-2); 3) Ballyadam (16-1) 3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Listed) Race conditions: £75,000 | 3m6f | 32 obstacles | Old Course Winner: Stumptown (5-2F); 2) Latenightpass (11-1); 3) Vanillier (15-2) 4.00: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £400,000 | 2m | 13 fences | Old Course Winner: Marine Nationale (5/1) ; Jonbon (5/6F); Captain Guinness (25/1) 4.40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m½f | 14 fences | Old Course Winner: Jazzy Matty (15-2); 2) Unexpected Party (11-2F); 3) Midnight It Is (25-1) 5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) Race conditions: £80,000 | 2m½f | 14 fences | Old Course Winner: Bambino Fever (4-1); Heads Up (33-1); Shuttle Diplomacy (66-1) When is 2025 Cheltenham Festival and what races are included? The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday, 11 March and concludes on Friday, 14 March. Fans will be glued to 28 races over four days, with seven races per day, including 13 races run over fences across the week, 13 over hurdles plus a bumper (flat race) and a cross-country chase. The shortest run is a little under two miles, while the longest races almost reach four miles. Fans will look out for 13 of the races run at Grade 1 standard, while five are run as Grade 2s, six Grade 3s and the other four being Listed. The first race is scheduled for 1:20pm GMT each day, with the final race starting at 5:20pm. How can I watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV and is there a live stream? You can watch the first six races of each day at the Cheltenham Festival with the ITV1 broadcast, while full coverage of the meet, including the final race of each day is only available through a Racing TV subscription. Both ITV and Racing TV provide live streams for the coverage through their apps and websites, while fans can of course tune on via the traditional television broadcast. Several online betting sites will also be streaming the event, but in most cases a funded betting account is required. You can secure access to the first three days of the festival through a daily Club Enclosure ticket at £100.80, while Friday is more expensive at £117.90. Tattersalls tickets will cost you £71.10 on each of the first three days, but Gold Cup day is up at £84.60. The cheapest way to experience the festival is through the Best Mate enclosure with a day ticket for the first three days priced at £51.30, whileFriday will set you back £67.50. All details can be found with tickets available to purchase through the Jockey Club here.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham Festival 2025 tips: Experts' best bets and 14 horses to watch on day three
The Cheltenham Festival is back and the 2025 edition has reached the halfway stage. A barnstorming opening day saw Golden Ace as a surprise winner of the Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill and State Man both fell. Day two was a more emotional affair as victories for Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty provided a fitting farewell to jockey Michael O'Sullivan who passed away in February. Day three promises more thrills with the Stayers' Hurdle and Ryanair Chase the big races highlighting a packed schedule. Chasing a first win of the festival, Rachael Blackmore will hope Envoi Allen rolls back the years to challenge hot favourite Fact To File in the Ryanair while Harry and Dan Skelton will hope Protektorat can back up his victory from last year. In the Stayers' Hurdle, Gordon Elliott's Teahupoo leads the way with pre-race odds of 3/2 and three victories out of four from his last four outings. The Wallpark, also from Elliott's stable, and Nicky Henderson's Lucky Place look set to be his closest rivals in the champion race. Our racing expert Sam Turner will be at Cheltenham all week, plus legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh has shared his tips with Paddy Power: Day three – Wednesday, 12 March Ruby Walsh's tip: Air Of Entitlement (each-way) 16/1 Paul Townend has gone for Aurora Vega over Maughreen, probably because she has more experience. I like Air of Entitlement for Henry de Bromhead. Her form from Down Royal on St Stephens' Day is pretty strong. She's a strong stayer and you need stamina on the New Course. Sam Turner's tip: Sixandahalf 3/1 A huge field which means that confidence in Sixandahalf is tempered a little as she has only tackled one hurdle race to date. Although light in jumping experience, the selection impressed at Fairyhouse and has a substantial body of work on the level to commend her chance. With Paul Townend keen to eschew Maughreen in favour of Aurora Vega, the progressive Jubilee Alpha may prove the primary danger. She clocked a smart time at Windsor last time and had previously dismissed the talented Hollygrove Cha Cha in a Listed affair at Taunton so ought to be on the scene. Ruby Walsh's tip: Answer To Kayf & San Salvador (each-way) 20/1 Asian Master is well found in the market. You want to be looking for a graded horse to win the race. The class horse, if the penalty doesn't stop him, is Answer To Kayf and I like San Salvador each-way at a price. He's plenty of experience and had a couple of runs at Cheltenham. He's crying out for a trip. Sam Turner's tip: Springwell Bay 7/1 The form of Springwell Bay took a significant boost when Jango Baie, who beat the selection by six lengths here before Christmas, landed the Arkle in dramatic circumstances on day one. A subsequent triumph by nine lengths on New Year's Day earned the eight-year-old a 9lb rise in the handicap so his task won't be easy, but he won with plenty in hand that day so should give another bold account. Expensive purchase Caldwell Potter was third in that Cheltenham event and could be on the scene if the ground doesn't dry out too markedly, while Nurburgring has been campaigned interestingly in the three chase starts required to earn a handicap mark and may prove a threat to all. 2.40: Pertemp Handicap Hurdle Ruby Walsh's tip: Karl Des Tourelles 18/1 It's an open-looking contest. Will The Wise won the last qualifier and has his chance. I've never been in love with Jeriko Du Reponet. Win Some Lose Some for Mark Walsh has a great chance but I like one at a good price. Karl De Tourelles is only a five-year-old but I think that age group are pretty well handicapped and I'm hoping this fella falls in the same boat. He has a lot of weight but his mark of 139 might be workable. Sam Turner's tip: Feet Of A Dancer 9/1 Feet Of A Dancer travelled like a dream in a Leopardstown qualifier for this race and, although beaten that day, remains of interest here. She was probably produced a little too soon, hitting the front before the last, and was worn down late on. However, if she is ridden a little colder she could have a huge hand in the finish. Zain Nights will be a sizeable price after a couple of subdued efforts but the form of his six-length third here in October to The Wallpark (fancied for the Stayers' Hurdle) reads very well and he could be a flyer at a price. Of the more fancied, Jeriko Du Reponet has been targeted at this race all season and wears cheekpieces for the first time, while stablemate Doddiethegreat also makes some appeal. 3.20: Ryanair Chase Ruby Walsh's tip: Jungle Boogie 12/1 Fact To File will be the hardest to beat but his price is plenty short. I've thought for a long time Jungle Boogie is the each-way shout. He ran a cracker in last year's Gold Cup but didn't stay. Going left handed suits him better than right and he's very lightly raced for an 11-year-old. Sam Turner's tip: Fact To File 11/8 Fact To File is regarded as one of the bankers for the week by many and it is easy to see why given he beat Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown earlier in the season and has chased home the reigning Gold Cup champion twice at Leopardstown subsequently. There should be plenty of pace in this race courtesy of the trail-blazing Il Est Francais which should help Mark Walsh settle the favourite and he won't mind Tuesday's snow either! On his day, Djelo is a very talented chaser, and he arrives on the back of a confidence boosting win at Newbury so ought to go well at a price. 4.00: Stayers' Hurdle Ruby Walsh's tip: Teahupoo 6/4 I'm not Teahupoo's biggest fan, but I've looked this race up and down for six weeks and I can't find a horse to oppose him. Sam Turner's tip: The Wallpark 13/2 Reigning champion Teahupoo has undergone the same preparation as last year and his form took a boost yesterday when his Morgiana Hurdle conqueror, Lossiemouth, hacked up at the third successive Festival. Home By The Lee runs in this event for the fourth time and it is probably asking a lot for him to win it at the age of 10, so the younger legs of The Wallpark and Lucky Place could be the ones to trouble Teahupoo. The Wallpark narrowly gains the nod having won over three miles on the Old Course last October and he was unsuited by a sluggish gallop at Ascot last time. There should be no such issues with Gowel Road in the field today. 4.40: TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap Ruby Walsh's tip: Ginnys Destiny 11/1 I like Ginny's Destiny. I like his running style for this race as he races close to the pace. He's come down enough in the weights and he was bordering on a graded horse last year. Sam Turner's tip: Gemirande 12/1 It often pays to race prominently in this race on the New Course with the last six winners ridden that way so Gemirande could prove the answer if he doesn't face too much pace pressure from the likes of Ginny's Destiny, Personal Ambition and Conflated. The selection's last run can be forgotten as he was held up which were an unusual switch of tactics, and he boasts plenty of course form so should give backers a good run if finding an early rhythm at his fences. Jagwar has been rerouted here from the novices' handicap chase and is respected along with the classy Jordans who's stable are always to be feared at this meeting. 5.20: Kim Muir Handicap Chase Ruby Walsh's tip: Walking On Air 9/2 Sa Majeste was a lucky winner last time out. Walking On Air looked unlucky to me at Doncaster as he fell at the last when he was going to win. He's the one for me. Sam Turner's tip: Midnight Our Fred 8/1 In contrast to the previous race, there looks fewer front-runners and that could play to the strengths of Midnight Our Fred who ran a blinder at Leopardstown over Christmas. His jumping data was phenomenal on that occasion and his speed at these fences could make him a tough horse to peg back. Johnnywho was a big mover in the betting for this event once Derek O'Connor was booked and he looks to have his entire campaign centred around this meeting. Walking On Air is another to consider as he would have arguably won at Doncaster last time when crashing out and his yard are in great form at present.
