Walsh Still Festival-Bound Following Naas Fall
- By A.J. Ryder on March 9, 2011 17:31 GMT
Cheltenham punters can breathe a sigh of relief as Ruby Walsh somehow managed to escape injury in a rough-looking fall at Naas on Wednesday afternoon. The popular Irish jockey has just returned to race-riding after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a bad fall at Down Royal in late 2010.
Walsh was aboard the Tony Martin charge King Of The Refs in a 2m3f maiden hurdle contest when they fall at the final flight. Jockey Phil Townend and his mount Boro Bee were also brought down in the collision.
Both horses are said to be fine.
Walsh was loaded into an ambulance on the track and wound up getting stitches for a cut under his eye. The Racing Post caught up with Ruby’s father, Ted Walsh and he was adamant that the cut was “nothing serious.”
Bookmakers will be wondering how this may affect the build up to the 2011 Cheltenham Festival as the winningest rider at the festival is still yet to score a win since returning to action. Walsh was obviously forced to stand down for the rest of the card at Naas on Wednesday.
The Paul Nicholls yard has confirmed that Walsh will be in the irons at Sandown on Saturday and is expected to pilot Mon Parrain and Tito Bustillo.
