Ruby Walsh feels Bellshill can develop into a serious Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup contender this season.
Willie Mullins' charge was a leading novice chaser in 2017, finishing third behind Might Bite in the RSA Chase, and only returned to action in February last season. He went on to win twice, including the Grade One Coral Punchestown Gold Cup.
Writing in his Racing UK blog the jockey said: "I don’t know whether Bellshill is as good as Might Bite or Native River. He wasn’t quite as good as Might Bite as a novice as he was beaten quite emphatically by him in the RSA Chase. However, I think Bellshill has improved since then. I rode him this morning and he’s in good order. He won at Fairyhouse last season and was unlucky in the Irish Grand National before winning the Punchestown Gold Cup.
"He ended last season as probably our top chaser and Patrick Mullins pointed out to me recently that Bellshill’s results are much better going right handed. I’m not sure where he will make his seasonal debut, but the John Durkan at Punchestown on December 9 is an option. You would hope he turns into a Gold Cup contender."
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