McCoy glad Walsh is on the mend

Tony McCoy had good news of Ruby Walsh this evening as his great rival continues to recover from a dislocated shoulder suffered in a fall at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Walsh was hurt when Willyanwoody took a fatal fall in the novice chase, with the general consensus being he was lucky not to have been more seriously injured.

McCoy told Sky Sports News: “He’s in good form, as good as can be expected.

“He went back to Ireland and saw his specialist and he more or less told him he would be back around Christmas time, which is probably better than he first thought.”

Walsh’s injury meant he had to miss the ride on stablemate Granit Jack in the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup, with Liam Heard deputising after a dash from Uttoxeter.

But the race was to bring more pain for all concerned as the well-backed favourite came to grief at the second-last when travelling like the winner, tragically also losing his life.

The fence has attracted plenty of attention in the aftermath but McCoy believes it is safe.

He said: “It is a great spectacle, but not when a horse falls or is injured. But you have to remember we are putting our lives on the line as well and if we thought it was dangerous we wouldn’t jump it.

“It’s part of the racecourse and what makes it as good as it is. It’s very unfortunate, but if we thought it was dangerous we wouldn’t be doing it either.”

McCoy, now a father and fresh from a double at Fakenham, said he was enjoying life in the saddle just as much as ever.

He added: “I’ve got more bills to pay! It’s great being a dad and I’m very lucky I ride for good people in Jonjo O’Neill and JP McManus.

“I’ve always been very lucky with my jobs and as long as I keep riding winners they’ll keep giving me rides.”

Asked for a horse to follow, he said: “Wichita Lineman is a horse I like. He’s got a good winning attitude – he’s a good grinder who keeps at it and should win plenty of races.”