PAUL Nicholls has confirmed Ruby Walsh will ride Kauto Star in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock, leaving Daryl Jacob to partner Master Minded at Ascot.

Hurricane Fly heads a field of just six possibles for the Ladbrokes.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.

EDWARD O’GRADY’S Estrela Braga can land the nap in the info@countysligoraces.com Maiden Hurdle at the western track tonight.

PAUL TOWNEND can make a winning return on Rattan in the opening Western People Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe this evening.

VICTORY in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle at Naas yesterday, in which Ruby Walsh was lucky to walk away from a nasty fall (see page 25), went to longshot First Impressions, ridden by Tim Carroll and trained by Mick Mulvany.