January 2026 brought the news that Harry Cobden would become the new number one jockey for JP McManus, with his role set to begin in May. Few in racing questioned Cobden’s talent or suitability for the assignment, but it was hard not to spare a thought for the outgoing Mark Walsh.
As the official number one in Ireland and the man on board most of McManus’s main contenders in Britain, Walsh has played a pivotal role in a stream of Grade 1 victories. Set to turn 40 soon after the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, his only obvious disadvantage is his age.
Ever the professional, Walsh responded to the announcement by simply telling reporters, “I’ll just keep kicking on”. And kick on he has. Lining up at the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival, Walsh once again demonstrated his skills to deliver a Grade 1 four-timer in those famous silks.
D’Authie Downs Demand
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kaid d’Authie | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh | 5/1 |
| 2nd | Western Fold | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy | 12/1 |
| 3rd | Final Demand | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend | 30/100 F |
The Ladbrokes Novice Chase was supposed to be all about the Willie Mullins-trained Final Demand. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, the seven-year-old had opened up his chase career with back-to-back wins by a combined 21 lengths. Those efforts had propelled the horse into even-money favouritism for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and resulted in a 30/100 starting price for this assignment.
As compelling as his claims were, Final Demand performed well below expectations. Let down by his jumping and seemingly not in love with the ground, the mount of Paul Townend had no answers as Walsh and Kaid d’Authie swept by off the home bend. Well clear over the last, the son of Choeur Du Nord stayed on well to score by more than four lengths with Final Demand only third. Available at 25/1 before the race, this rising McManus star joined Final Demand at the head of the Brown Advisory Novice Chase market at a general 4/1.
Majborough Advertises Queen Mother Claims
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Majborough | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh | 2/1 |
| 2nd | Marine Nationale | Barry Connell | Sean Flanagan | 5/4 F |
| 3rd | Found A Fifty | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy | 10/1 |
Willie Mullins has never hidden the regard in which he holds Majborough. When at his best, the ex-French performer has justified the hype. However, significant jumping errors have plagued his career to date, creating a race record that perhaps doesn’t accurately reflect his raw talent.
Following successive defeats at Cork and Leopardstown, Majborough started as the second choice in the market for the Dublin Chase, behind 2025 Champion Chase winner Marine Nationale. What followed was the most impressive two-mile chase performance of the season to date.
With cheekpieces applied and switching to front-running tactics – both at the recommendation of Walsh – Majborough proved to be in a different league to the opposition. Opening up a lead in the back straight, the six-year-old simply forged further and further clear for a dominant 19-length success. If in the same form at Cheltenham, he may take some stopping in the Queen Mother Champion Chase – a race for which he is now the clear market leader at a general price of 13/8.
Narciso Looks Good in Juvenile Grade 1
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Narciso Has | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh | Evens F |
| 2nd | Selma De Vary | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend | 17/2 |
| 3rd | Mange Tout | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy | 15/8 |
Having picked up a Grade 1 double on the opening day, the McManus/Walsh/Mullins combo was at it again on Day 2. The first into the winner’s enclosure was the Doctor Dino gelding Narciso Has. Extremely impressive in the Grade 2 Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle at this track in December, he started as the even-money favourite to follow up on his first outing in Grade 1 company.
Having conquered Narciso Has at Fairyhouse in November, the Gordon Elliott mare Mange Tout was expected to give the market leader the most to do. The pair locked horns on the home turn, but it soon became clear that there would be only one winner. Try as she might, Mange Tout couldn’t get to Narciso Has, who found another gear to score by four and a half lengths. Already the favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, Narciso Has is now as short as 11/10 for the opening event on Day 4 at the Cheltenham Festival.
Fact To File Throws Name into Gold Cup Mix
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fact To File | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh | 9/2 |
| 2nd | Gaelic Warrior | Willie Mullins | Patrick Mullins | 4/1 |
| 3rd | Galopin Des Champs | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend | 15/8 F |
McManus and Walsh brought up the four-timer in the most prestigious event of the meeting. With 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus, reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup king Inothewayurthinkin, and Ryanair champ Fact To File in the line-up, McManus was well represented in the Irish Gold Cup. Of that trio, Walsh took the ride aboard Fact To File, who started as the third favourite behind three-time Irish Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and the talented Gaelic Warrior.
In such a deep field, Fact To File would need to show much more than he had in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. Having come up short on his two most recent starts over three miles or more, he also needed to conclusively prove he stayed this trip. Under a silky-smooth Walsh ride, Fact To File emphatically bounced back to his best. Travelling like a dream as his rivals began to toil, he powered five lengths clear on the run in from Gaelic Warrior in second, with a one-paced Galopin Des Champs in third.
Fact To File was so disappointing at Kempton that he was taken out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. On this display, connections must be sorely tempted to pay the supplementary entry fee and reintroduce him to the field. The bookies are taking few chances, with most firms making Fact To File their new Gold Cup favourite at a general 4/1, while he is as short as 4/5 for the Ryanair Chase.
With Harry Cobden not due to take over until May, Mark Walsh may keep the rides on the above quartet at the Cheltenham Festival. If so, he has every chance of ending his time as the main man in green and gold on a well-deserved high.
