Walsh looking forward to Star billing in Tingle Creek
The jockey suffered a crashing fall from the Paul Nicholls-trained Kaldous at the Esher track yesterday, but despite a heavy limp, he bravely soldiered on.
A smiling Walsh admitted afterwards: “I twisted the ankle. It’s a bit sore, but of course I’ll be carrying on. I’ll be ready for tomorrow, no worries. I’m looking forward to it.”
Kauto Star drops back to two miles after putting himself in line for a £1million bonus when winning the three-mile Betfair Chase at Haydock on his last start.
But his trainer insists that he will not be too upset if they miss the second of the three-leg series, the Stan James King George VI Chase, at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.
“There are plenty of races in the spring,” said Nicholls.
“He’s fit and well and I’m looking forward to it. The race will be a different tempo, but I don’t think that will make a difference and he would have won over two (miles) at Aintree.
“He’s had a run. Being realistic, the Tingle Creek is a very winnable race with good prize money and to be honest, he’s not had a hard race last time.”
Connections of Fota Island are conscious of the task facing the Mouse Morris-trained 10-year-old.
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said: “He’s come out of last race very well, but he has to take on the two big boys (Kauto Star and Voy Por Ustedes). He’s in good form and we’d be hoping he’ll run well.”
Fota Island, runner-up to Newmill in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, was last of five behind Nickname at Navan three weeks ago on his first run for seven months.
Morris added: “He ran OK on bottomless ground so I was very pleased with that and he’s come on a good bit.
“The ground will be a lot better at Sandown. There’s only seven runners tomorrow so hopefully he’ll be there or thereabouts, but I would say he’s getting on now and maybe he probably wants two or two and a half (miles).”
