CHAMPION JOCKEY Ruby Walsh has elected to ride Cooldine in Cheltenham’s RSA Chase rather than Alex Ferguson’s What A Friend.

Walsh has a number of races at the festival where his services will be required by both Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls, and in the RSA at least he has come down in favour of the Irish option.

“We sat down and talked about it and Ruby wanted to ride Cooldine,” Nicholls reported.

“That’s fine, as Sam [Thomas] has won on What A Friend twice already.”

Thomas has won on both What A Friend’s starts over fences to date, while Cooldine won the Grade One Dr PJ Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on his last start.

Today’s Irish card at Navan sees Noel Meade continuing the countdown to Cheltenham at his local track, where Archiestown will be a popular fancy in the second maiden hurdle on the back of his third to Darbys Turn and Sports Line at Cork in early January.

Hotel Hilamar will also be a Meade runner to watch in the Beginners Chase, as there is nothing of the class of Made In Taipan in this race.

Rare Bob has form that ties in with some of the best of Ireland’s novice chasers this season.

But he might be worth opposing in today’s three-mile novice chase with Equus Maximus, who will relish this stamina test.

The Willie Mullins team can also pick up another bumper with Alexander Seaview who was a 13-length winner at Fairyhouse on his debut.