RACING:CHAMPION JOCKEY Ruby Walsh plans to return to action in a couple of weeks' time and is looking forward to continuing his build up to the Cheltenham festival.
Walsh broke his leg in a fall at Down Royal in early November but will be back race-riding at the start of next month.
“Everything is going well. I got the frame off on Thursday and the leg is really good, so I can’t wait to get back in action. It’s just a case of getting back in the swing of things. I’ve been in the gym since about 10 days after the fall. I’m looking to be back riding around March 3rd, 4th or 5th, somewhere around there, whereever the opportunity presents itself. It’s been a bad old run but it could have been an awful lot worse,” he said yesterday.
Paul Townend has made hay on Willie Mullins’s horses during Walsh’s absence and that can continue at Naas tomorrow where the high-class Golden Silver could have a straightforward task in the Paddy Power Chase.
Mullins runs three in the novice hurdle with Townend on board Day Of A Lifetime. The champion trainer has a high regard for this Leopardstown winner who is as low as 16 to 1 in betting for the Supreme at Cheltenham.
Six line up for the third Grade Two of the afternoon and Roi Du Mee can continue his progressive profile in the Michael O’Leary colours.
Davy Russell’s mount had no trouble putting Bob Lingo in his place at Punchestown last time and a shorter trip this time shouldn’t be any problem to him.
Tomorrow’s bumper has thrown up a pair of Cheltenham winners in Hairy Molly (2006) and Pizarro (2002) as well as the subsequent Ascot Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage two years ago.
A number of smart winners line up this time and the Mullins charge Samain looks the best of them.
