After so many well-timed runs down the years, the outstanding rider judged the final act to perfection too and went out at the top on his own termsThe end came suddenly, as it so often does for a jump jockey. But while so many of his weighing-room colleagues simply wake up one morning and decide that they can’t face it any more or get the news from a specialist that they can’t risk another fall, Ruby Walsh went out at the top with a Grade One winner, and on his own terms. After so many well-timed runs down the years, the final act was judged to perfection too.In a golden generation of National Hunt riders, Walsh was transcendent. Tony McCoy...
The jockey’s hopes of making the big five-day meeting, which begins on Tuesday, were dashed following results from an X-ray on his right leg that he fractured at Cheltenham last month Related: Horse dies at Cheltenham before race abandoned in sweltering heat Fontwell Park 1.40 Risk And Roll 2.15 Toviere 2.50 Dandy Dan 3.25 Theo’s Charm 3.55 Celma Des Bois 4.25 Onehelluvatouch 4.55 Spiritofchartwell 5.30 Regarding Ruth Continue reading...
The veteran jockey says his cast is off and he hopes to be back in five weeks but will miss the Grand NationalRuby Walsh is going to be back in action just five weeks from now, if he gets his own way about his recovery from last week’s reinjury of his broken leg. The 38-year-old has been given a bit more detail on the extent of the damage this morning and appears to be encouraged. Related: Harriet Tucker: ‘Cheltenham Festival winner was a childhood dream’ Southwell Continue reading...
A late change of target remains possible but Willie Mullins’s two-miler now seems set to take on Altior on WednesdayHoly smokes, Douvan has been declared for Wednesday’s Champion Chase with Ruby Walsh booked to ride, despite all yesterday’s toing and froing about connections looking at a switch to the Ryanair. Nothing is final until he actually lines up for the race, of course, and the rules still allow for him to run in the Ryanair instead if there is yet another late change of heart. Related: Cheltenham trainers warn of testing, ‘puddingy’ ground for Festival Related: Richard Johnson looks to ‘family pet’ for his Gold Cup inspiration | Chris Cook Dr Richard Newland 43% (7) Nicky Henderson 40% (15) Harry...
There Will Be No Horse Racing Today but we do have a Cheltenham Festival quiz to keep your brain workingAs I think we’ve all noticed, it’s a bit nippy out. So nippy, in fact, that we have absolutely no racing at all to offer you. Not only have we lost the scheduled jumps cards at Ludlow and Taunton, but the “all-weather” action at Newcastle and Kempton has also bitten the dust, the result of heavy snow. If I had to bet on it, I’d say Southwell on Monday will be the next time we see jumps racing. The Nottinghamshire track is due rising temperatures and plenty of rain on Sunday, which may be enough to get rid of the snow...