Ruby Walsh not ready to return to action this weekend
Top jockey Ruby Walsh is back riding out but will not return to competitive action this weekend, although he remains on course to return before the Cheltenham Festival.
RUBY WALSH has opted to delay his comeback to competitive action and will not make his return this weekend.
The leading jockey has been off the track since suffering a broken leg in a fall at Punchestown in November of last year, but has always insisted he would recuperate sufficiently to return before the Cheltenham Festival.
With the start of the Cheltenham Festival only a few weeks away, Walsh revealed earlier this week that he had started riding out again.
However, his sister and agent Jennifer has confirmed he will not be returning to the saddle competitively just yet.
Walsh said: "I spoke to Ruby on Thursday and he's not going to come back this weekend.
"He's fine and he's riding out. He'll keep riding out and he'll tell me when he's ready."
The next possible return date for Walsh is at Clonmel next Thursday, with meetings at Navan and Leopardstown other possibilities just days after.
Willie Mullins has used Paul Townend as number one rider for most of the season in the absence of Walsh, but he too has been on the sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in an agonising final flight fall from Killultagh Vic the Irish Gold Cup on February 4.
Templegate's Treble
- NAP 4.15 Exeter - Coo Star Sivola: 'Has run well in some hot novice chases and he's in much calmer waters today'
- NEXT BEST 4.50 Exeter - Thomas Patrick: 'Beat a useful rival on his chase debut and he should love the step up to a marathon distance'
- TREBLE 3.00 Warwick - Socksy: 'Put another decent effort over fences last month and she should be hard to beat back against the mares'
The Irish Turf Club's senior medical officer, Dr Adrian McGoldrick, confirmed he is also close to a return.
He said: "I assessed Paul on Wednesday and the plan is for him to start riding out again on Monday with a view to hopefully returning to race riding next weekend."
