Ruby Walsh: we need something new to be taking on Galopin Des Champs and next season maybe it'll be Ballyburn

Ballyburn could emerge to become the biggest threat to Galopin Des Champs next season according to Ruby Walsh after victory in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase.

A return to winning ways, with a five-length success from Croke Park and Impaire Et Passe a further five and a half lengths back in third, had Willie Mullins' former stable jockey brimming with praise for the Ronnie Bartlett and David Manasseh-owned seven-year-old.

Ballyburn was racing over five and a half furlongs further than when put in his place by Sir Gino over Christmas, and Walsh said: "I found Ballyburn much more comfortable to watch at that speed and at that trip than he has been at shorter over fences. I thought he looked much happier jumping at that speed.

"Ballyburn looked to me like a stayer on his first run over fences and today he's confirmed that because the further they were going the more he was pulling away. I loved the way he went to the line."

Ballyburn: a convincing winner of the Ladbrokes Novice ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

On Ballyburn's jumping Walsh, who was speaking as an analyst on Racing TV, added: "He's not a flamboyant jumper but he's neat and, the further you go, the deeper you can get into fences as you're not going the same speed, whereas at two miles you've got to have a cut the whole way. I think this trip suits him a lot better, he's a staying chaser isn't he?"

On his Cheltenham target this season, and into the future, Walsh said: "I'd imagine his next run will be over further, it'll be three [miles] one [furlong] in the Brown Advisory where he'll be going next and I think that'll suit him.

"We need something new to be taking on Galopin Des Champs and next season maybe it'll be him. We've always thought he's the making of a potential Gold Cup horse and hopefully he'll keep progressing and fulfil that."

On the race itself he added: "Croke Park's a very good jumper, there's no doubt about that, he was brilliant in the Drinmore and he was good again here. Impaire Et Passe on the other hand was a bit ragged at times.

"Going to the last Sam [Ewing, rider of Croke Park] has gone and he's putting it up to Paul [Townend, rider of Ballyburn], but I was really impressed with how Ballyburn dug in. It looked in the balance, but Paul hadn't gone for as much as Sam and he was going all the way to the line.

Read more . . .

'He's back on track now and he could be a fair weapon over three miles' - Ballyburn cut to 9-4 favourite for Brown Advisory after Grade 1 win 

Solness makes all to bag another Grade 1 at Leopardstown with favourite Gaelic Warrior well beaten 

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