RACING: RUBY WALSH will return to the saddle at Ayr on Friday. Walsh had hoped to be back in action for Cheltenham's two-day fixture today and tomorrow but will wait for the Scottish Grand National meeting instead.
With the Punchestown Festival also on the horizon Walsh felt it prudent not to rush his return. “I’m still a little stiff and I think two more days’ rest is the sensible thing,” Walsh said. “While it’s a good meeting at Cheltenham, the priority is being 100 per cent fit for Ayr this weekend, and then Punchestown next week.”
David Pipe has urged racing’s rulers not to make a “knee-jerk” reaction to the deaths of Synchronised and According To Pete in the Grand National.
Pipe, who won the race in 2008 with Comply Or Die, believes the safety measures in place have improved greatly in recent years.
With another review in the offing, the Nicholashayne handler hopes the appropriate measures are taken. “I would like to pass on my heartfelt condolences to the connections of Synchronised and According To Pete who were both lost under unforeseen circumstances in the big race,” said Pipe.
“It is a very sad loss for all concerned as these horses become a part of your extended family. However, I urge that we do not make some kind of unfounded knee-jerk reaction to these losses. As with all competitive sport there is an element of risk and Aintree have continually been at pains to improve the safety for both horse and jockey for many years now. They will review the race as they always do and make the appropriate improvements.”
Pipe’s Aintree casualty Junior could bid for swift compensation in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.
The Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival winner was considered by many as a major contender for last weekend’s John Smith’s Grand National, but his race was over by the second fence.
Pipe reports the nine-year-old to be none the worse and he could make the long journey from Devon to Scotland. “Junior was an early casualty, departing at the second fence and as such he doesn’t know he has had a race. We have left him in the Scottish National at Ayr this weekend and he could well participate in that, although he will have to contend with top-weight.”
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls landed his first ever Grand National with Neptune Collonges at Aintree and his Harry The Viking, owned by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, is the 6 to 1 favourite with the sponsors for the Scottish equivalent.
Walsh fancies his chances on the seven-year-old, who was second to Teaforthree at Cheltenham. “He ran a cracker to come second in the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival, and must have a great chance,” said the jockey.
Coral also report money for Scottish-trained pair Lie Forrit (12 to 1 from 16 to 1) and Abbeybraney (25 to 1 from 40 to 1).
Meanwhile, Paul Deegan’s China One bids to enhance his reputation in tonight’s Follow Dundalk On Facebook Handicap. The Motivator colt ran out an impressive winner on his debut over course and distance a month ago and he starts off life in handicap company off a mark of 90.
Deegan has given his charge an entry in the illustrious Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on May 13th and is confident of a big run, despite having to give weight away all round. “He did it well the first day. It was a good time and the horse that was second has won since, so it was a good performance,” said Deegan. “We’d like to think he’s better than his mark and we always thought a bit of him as a two-year-old . . . He has to give away a lot of weight tomorrow but if he’s good enough, he should be up to it hopefully.”
