Ruby Walsh On Course For Weekend Gallops
- By A.J. Ryder on February 18, 2011 19:33 GMT
It appears as though Ruby Walsh will be making a dramatic return to jumps racing with just a few weeks to spare before the penultimate meet of the National Hunt calendar - the Cheltenham Festival.
Walsh had been out since November after breaking his leg at Down Royal, shortly after guiding Kauto Star to a victory on his seasonal debut in the JNWine.com Champion Chase. The frame on Walsh's leg has been removed late this week and he is expecting to be out on the gallops this weekend.
Speaking to Racing UK, the Nicholls stable-jockey declared "if I can't ride out on Saturday morning then it will be Sunday morning. I'll start race riding again around the third or fourth of March."
Punters and bookmakers alike seem confident that Walsh will dominate the festival once again this year with an 11/10 price being floated on Walsh being named top jockey at Cheltenham.
Ruby will have a choice of mounts for the festival this year and he can expect to saddle some of the best contenders available. Punters can expect Walsh's presence to affect the betting markets if he opens with a strong first day at Cheltenham.
