Ruby opts for Kauto

RUBY WALSH will partner Kauto Star in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold at Prestbury Park on March 19, with Tony McCoy coming in for the ride on Denman.

In his exclusive column in today’s Irish Examiner, Walsh reveals he had no choice but to make such an early decision, after Denman’s owners, Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, indicated they would like whoever rode their horse in the Aon Chase at Newbury to also be aboard at Cheltenham.

The owners said, in the event of Walsh sticking with Kauto Star, they wanted McCoy to get a feel of Denman and so he will be in the plate at Newbury and the partnership will be retained at Cheltenham.

Walsh said he would like to have waited a lot longer and that the performance of Denman at Newbury will be crucial.

Said Walsh: “It was a very difficult decision and I have no idea if I’ve got it right.”