Walsh set to return on St Stephen’s Day
He was passed fit yesterday by surgeon, Bill Quinlan, and last night Walsh indicated that Sandown was where he was most likely to be on Monday.
Said Walsh: “I'm not sure what Paul's (Nicholls) plans are for the King George, whether he is going to run Cornish Rebel or Royal Auclair. But if one of them runs then I will ride.”
Cornish Rebel is currently a top-priced 16-1 shot for the King George, with Royal Auclair on 20-1, behind general 7-4 favourite, Kicking King.
On Tuesday, Walsh is set to head for Chepstow and the Welsh National. “If Paul runs Cornish Rebel in that race that's where I will be”, confirmed Walsh. “I am also looking forward to partnering Turko in a three-year-old hurdle at Chepstow.”
If current plans are adhered to Walsh will miss the first two days of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
“I expect to be at Leopardstown on Wednesday and Thursday”, said Walsh. “On Wednesday I ride Hedgehunter in the Lexus Chase, but am not sure yet about the Bewleys' Hurdle on Thursday”
Hedgehunter, hero of the Aintree Grand National in April, enjoyed a spin over flights at Fairyhouse recently.
He is set to take on both Michael Hourigan's Beef Or Salmon and Mouse Morris' War Of Attrition in the Lexus.
Walsh suffered his injury when McGruders Cross crashed out of a beginners chase four from home at Navan.
