Lucky 15

Gary O’Brien stepped in for Lydia Hislop on this week’s Racing TV’s Road to Cheltenham, joining Ruby Walsh and Josh Stacey to assess the latest ante post developments and pick out a lucky 15 with just under three weeks to go.

One of the main talking points was Mighty Park, who has generated significant buzz after his Fairyhouse success.

Ruby was keen to stress the raw ability is obvious, but cautioned that horses with just one hurdle start do not have a strong record in the Supreme. Whether he goes for the Supreme or the Turners could ultimately depend on jockey feedback, but the potential is clearly there.

The Ryanair picture has also shifted, with Gaelic Warrior now prominent in the betting amid suggestions that Fact To File could head to the Gold Cup instead.

Ruby believes only one of the leading Mullins contenders is likely to run in the Ryanair and feels whichever does would be very short, particularly given the race does not look especially deep this year. That crossover between the championship races remains one of the most intriguing tactical angles of the meeting.

Attention then turned to the Arkle, where Lulamba divided opinion slightly despite winning the Game Spirit. Ruby felt the run would bring him forward and described him as the right favourite, pointing to his engine and continued progression over fences. However, Gary was less enthusiastic about taking a short price with Kopek Des Bordes also in the field, arguing that the presence of such high-class opposition tempers enthusiasm at around 6/4.

In the novice hurdle division, Sober Glory was highlighted as a lively Supreme Novices contender after an impressive Newbury win. Ruby suggested his positive racing style could put others under pressure from a long way out and considered him solid each-way value in what both agreed looks a particularly deep renewal.

Meanwhile, Dr Steinberg prompted strong views regarding the Albert Bartlett. Although short in the betting for that race, Ruby was adamant he would oppose him there, arguing his tendency to race freely could be exposed in a strongly-run Festival contest.

The Foxhunters picture is beginning to take shape too, with Panda Boy emerging as a serious player after qualifying with victories at Thurles and Naas. A former high-class handicapper, he has taken well to the hunter chase scene and, at just ten years old, fits the profile of a strong Foxhunters contender. Ruby admitted it is not a division he specialises in but felt Panda Boy’s class and stamina credentials make him one for any shortlist.

Both presenters then revealed their Festival Lucky 15s.

• Ruby opted for Favori De Champdou in the Cross Country,
• Panda Boy in the Hunter Chase,
• Majborough in the Champion Chase and
• Dino Blue in the Mares’ Chase, citing consistency and race conditions as key factors.
• Gary overlapped with Favori De Champdou but also sided with
• Wendigo in the Brown Advisory,
• Bambino Fever in the Mares’ Novice, and a big-priced swing with
• They Call Me Hugo in the Albert Bartlett, arguing he could easily be unbeaten in his last three runs and is underestimated in the market.

With novice entries up across several divisions and healthy numbers in the Gold Cup, both agreed the 2026 Festival is shaping up well from a competitive standpoint. Field sizes remain a point of debate, but the strength in depth among the novice ranks in particular was viewed as a positive sign.

As the countdown continues, the picture is becoming clearer, though plenty of tactical decisions especially regarding race targets are still to come.