Ruby Walsh, with the backing of Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins, is Ladbroke's 11/10 favourite to be top jockey at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, but Tony McCoy looks better value at 7/2 with the magic sign.
Of course, Walsh rides Master Minded in Wednesday’s Champion Chase which effectively gives him one on the board already. However, McCoy’s rides look stronger overall and he may even be a short-priced-favourite after the opening day, at which point we can trade out to ensure a profit.
OK, his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle ride, Ainama (14/1 Skybet), is not everyone’s cup of tea after his Kempton defeat last time, but he could easily improve on his two runs to date. After that, though, he’s in line to ride the next three favourites, including Binocular (6/4 Paddy Power) in the Champion Hurdle. He’s no banker, but McCoy must have big chances on Calgary Bay (6/1 Sportingbet), second favourite for the Arkle, and Wichita Lineman (6/1 Stan James), who has been well-backed for the William Hill Trophy and, according to trainer Jonjo O’Neil, is his best chance of a winner at the festival.
Even if AP draws a blank on the first day, he still has a great book of rides for later in the week, with the likes of Karabak (7/2 Boylesports) and Aigle D’Or (6/1 Coral) well fancied on Wednesday, and a host of other fancied horses in the handicaps. In fact, he’s going to have a ride in virtually every race over the four days, so the current best odds of 7/2 look very generous.
Do have a saver on Choc Thornton, though, at 8/1 (Sportingbet). If there’s a jockey to trouble Walsh and McCoy, it is Alan King’s main man, although his cause hasn’t been helped by JP McManus purchasing Karabak, now the mount of McCoy (McManus’ retained rider). Still, he does have the leg up on Voy Por Ustedes (11/10 Totesport), many people’s idea of a banker in the Ryanair, and has a strong book of rides on Friday, in particular, including Walkon (5/1 Ladbrokes) in the Triumph Hurdle and Bensalem (5/1 William Hill) in the Albert Bartlett.
Recommended Bets:
Tony McCoy 3pts @ 7/2 Ladbrokes
Robert Thornton 1pt @ 15/2 Sportingbet