Walsh to miss Galway Festival
Walsh has been sidelined since breaking his humerus – a bone in the upper part of the arm – in three places when taking a crashing fall off Celestial Halo in the Aintree Hurdle at Liverpool on Grand National afternoon, April 10.
The champion jockey was back in Dublin yesterday to meet orthopaedic surgeon, Bill Quinlan, and to have an x-ray, but had his hopes of returning dashed.
Said Walsh: “He (Quinlan) is very happy with the way the injury is healing, but it’s not strong enough and needs another three to four weeks.
“Of course, I am very disappointed not to be riding at Galway, but it is what it is and there is nothing I can do.”
Meanwhile, Walsh’s greatest rival Davy Russell, in contrast, is set to be fit for Galway.
Russell suffered a broken ankle when his mount, Napa Starr, fell at the third flight in a maiden hurdle at Listowel on June 5.
Russell reported yesterday: “The specialist was happy enough with the ankle and took the cast off. I should be okay for Galway now.
“I had three sessions of cryotherapy at Whites’ Hotel in Wexford today and am feeling very good after it.
“But, I will ride out at at Tipperary (today) and see how that goes. I will know for sure then.”
