No decision yet as to who rides Hurricane

THERE has been much talk leading into Cheltenham regarding the riding arrangements for Hurricane Fly strongly fancied in Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle.

In the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh, Paul Townend has guided Willie Mullins’ gelding to three smooth success this season.

However Walsh is now fit, prompting speculation he will get the ride on Tuesday.

Walsh fielded some pre-Cheltenham questions from punters on Twitter for the Irish Examiner’s Sports blog yesterday and was asked whether it would be fair to jock-off Townend, considering he has done all of the work with the horse.

Walsh, however, had a ready response.

“I don’t know who’s going to ride the horse at this stage and that’s the honest truth,’’ he said.

“I haven’t asked (Mullins). But life ain’t fair. Is it fair that I broke my leg?’’

Asked if he had ever ridden a horse into a pub (Paul) Carberry-style, Walsh replied: “No, I’ve ridden a bike into a pub plenty of times alright.’’

- Read Walsh’s pre-Cheltenham thoughts online tinyurl.com/4u6fkmb