Walsh hoping to keep lid on Un De Sceaux

Ruby Walsh has revealed that his most important role when riding red-hot favourite Un De Sceaux in the Arkle Chase will be to prevent the prodigious chaser from boiling over in the preliminaries.

The Cheltenham experience will be a new one for the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old and speaking on irishracing.com podcast Talking Horses, Walsh admitted that he had a slight concern about the gelding's temperament.

"Un De Sceaux is probably the most uncomplicated ride I have of the week" said Walsh.

"Tactics are fairly straightforward and everyone knows what you're going to do. I was delighted with him in Leopardstown on Saturday. He went a really good gallop and jumped super. I thought he worked really, really well. I think he's improved a bit since he won the Irish Arkle.

"I hope temperament-wise he takes it. I know he'll take the travelling 'cos he's been to Auteuil twice. It's just how he copes with 65,000 people and the noise and atmosphere of the festival. Once he doesn't flip his lid I think he's a massive, massive player."

The most successful jockey ever at the Cheltenham Festival continued; "He does (get hot) but if he goes around Cheltenham and walks around like a dead duck I'd be twice as worried. He's going to get revved it's just how revved he gets. He'll have to canter up by the stand and turn at the top and canter all the way back down to the start.

"I just hope he doesn't lose the plot between the parade ring and the start but it's my job to keep the lid on him and hopefully we'll manage that."

Walsh spoke at length on many of his intended engagements and confirmed that it will be Sunday before he confirms his decision on whether to ride Faugheen or Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle.

Noel Fehily, who rides Gold Cup and World Hurdle favourites, Silviniaco Conti and Zarkandar was also on the show, recorded live in the RacingFM studios, along with Leon Blanche of bookmakers Boylesports.

Listen to the full show here