Walsh looking to get back in the saddle

RACING:RUBY WALSH intends to be back in the saddle tomorrow after needing two stitches to a cut eye following a fall at Naas on Wednesday.

Ireland’s top jump jockey had a nasty scare just days before the start of the Cheltenham Festival when he took a tumble from King Of The Refs at the final flight in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle.

He only returned to action last Friday after being sidelined for four months with a broken leg and has yet to ride a winner since.

His planned rides at Sandown tomorrow include Tito Bustillo in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup.

“He’s had two stitches, but he’s good and he’s going to ride on Saturday,” said his agent and sister, Jennifer.

“He’s going over to ride in England on Saturday, he’ll be back in Ireland on Sunday and then over to Cheltenham on Tuesday.”

Walsh will have his usual big book of rides at Cheltenham, with trainers Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls providing him with most ammunition.

They include Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle and Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“I’m a little sore this morning following my fall at Naas yesterday, but it could have been a lot worse,” the jockey wrote on his blog on racinguk.com.

“Everyone told me it looked very nasty and feared I could be in trouble again, but thankfully it was just a gash to my right eye, which required two stitches.

“Taking a fall is all part of being a jumps jockey, it comes with the territory.

“I’ve had a lot of good wishes and inquiries following the fall, which I’m grateful for, and I’ve been told I deserve a change of luck, but people are a lot worse off than I am, that’s for sure, and besides it’s not serious and I’ll be back at Sandown on Saturday.

“I read somewhere that I might be tempted to wait now until the start of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, but you can’t start picking and choosing your rides in an effort to avoid any possible falls or injury.

“You just can’t think like that as a jockey.”