Walsh eyes Boylesports return

Ruby Walsh is aiming to be back in the saddle at Cheltenham’s Boylesports meeting later this month as he recovers from having his spleen removed.

Walsh has missed some big races in recent weeks and has his sights on the two-day meeting at Prestbury Park beginning on December 12.

“It’s going great, I’m flying along and if I keep going the way I’m going I’ll be back a lot sooner than some people think,” said Walsh.

“I’ve got no pain at all. The spleen has gone, so there is nothing really to repair.

“The Boylesports meeting is the first possibility and if I keep going the way I’m going, I’ve got a chance of making it.

“Who knows, I could go backwards next week, but if I keep going as I am there is a chance I’ll make that, and if not the week after.”

Walsh missed out on a couple of big-race winners at Fairyhouse on Sunday as Hurricane Fly and Trafford Lad both took Grade One prizes, while Brave Inca nearly returned in dramatic style in the Hatton’s Grace.

“Hurricane Fly was very good and Cousin Vinny ran a cracker. Trafford Lad looks like he’ll improve again for three miles,” said Walsh.

“Looking at Cousin Vinny, he looked a bit round, so he’ll improve a lot for the run. Hurricane Fly had all the experience.

“The two lads who were on them did nothing wrong, so hopefully I’ll get back on them.

“Brave Inca ran a cracker, but I was about to jump off the stand at that stage because I thought the third one was going to go in!

“It’s great to see him back and he’s a great horse, but obviously Catch Me was just race-fit and that made the difference,” he told At The Races.