Walsh cleared to return to action on Friday
Speaking yesterday, Walsh said: “I saw the doctor today. He was happy and has passed me fit to resume on Friday.
“I rode out for my dad (Ted Walsh) yesterday morning and again this morning. I have been feeling really good for the last two weeks.
“I will ride out at Willie’s (Mullins) on Thursday morning and then will be on Mahonia for Paul Nicholls on Friday.
“I will also be at Cheltenham on Saturday, where my principal rides will be Silverburn (boylesports.com Gold Cup Handicap Chase) and Celestial Halo (boylesports.com International Hurdle).
“I am not sure yet where I will heading on Sunday. Willie intends running Pomme Tiepy at Cork and Mikael d’Haguenet at Navan, so I will be leaving that decision to him.’
Walsh ruptured his spleen at Cheltenham on November 15 and has done remarkably well to get back so quickly.
Master Minded at Sandown last Saturday and Noland at Punchestown on Tuesday were among two of the more high-profile rides he missed while on the easy-list.
His comeback on Mahonia, in a novices’ hurdle, should provide him with the ideal pipe-opener, before facing much stiffer tests the following day.
Mahonia, who carries the colours of Jim Lewis, the man who owned triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Best Mate, made a spectacular start over jumps at Exeter, scoring unextended by 13 lengths, with Walsh aboard.
