Ruby Walsh on ‘flying visit’ to take up Aussie National challenge

Ruby Walsh will make a flying visit Down Under this weekend to team up with one of the stars of the local national hunt scene, Bashboy, in the Australian equivalent of the Grand National, at Ballarat Racecourse, Victoria.

The opportunity came about when the horse’s regular rider, Steve Pateman, picked up a suspension, ruling him out of the race, which Bashboy is bidding to win for the third successive year. Trainer Ciaron Maher wondered who might replace Pateman, and the idea of contacting Walsh entered his head.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s a fantastic opportunity, but it’s not a holiday,” said Walsh.