Racing legend Katie Walsh says Irish jockeys are superior horse riders on soft turf than their English counterparts.
The two-time Cheltenham Festival winner joined OTB's Friday Night Racing.
2015 Irish grand National winner Walsh says she loves to watch Irish riders compete on soft ground because of their finesse on the delicate surface.
"I love watching the Irish lads ride on soft ground, and I love watching Cheltenham when it's soft. I think they are hands and heels above; they are a different gravy,' explained the legendary jockey.
Walsh believes the Irish turf is a key factor for the Irish jockey's success on that type of ground.
The legendary female rider says tactical awareness is a key factor for a jockey to be successful on a moister racing surface. She says that riders have to be more tactically aware in Ireland due to the challenging and varying going on the race tracks.
"I think you definitely have to be more tactically aware in Ireland. I'm not speaking for everyone in England on a whole but there's definitely different types of race riding.
She says races in Ireland tend to be competed with the horses bunched closer together because of the jockey's prowess, and willingness to complete the right strategic moves at the correct moment.
"They ride a lot tighter here; an awful lot tighter. There will be a bunch there, like in Navan and those really good maiden hurdles. There will be a certain set or bunch of horses that will be good enough, and maybe others that will not be good enough,' said Walsh.
Former jockey Walsh added that she still loves watching the drama, permutations involved in Irish racing, something that still excites here.
"But the tactical, the cutting off, the following, the watching, and getting the run from the second last. I think it's lovely to watch."
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