Walsh confirmed for Star in Betfair Chase

Paul Nicholls has confirmed Ruby Walsh will ride Kauto Star in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock, leaving Daryl Jacob to partner Master Minded at Ascot.

Both horses are owned by Clive Smith and Nicholls tried to avoid running them on the same day by giving Master Minded his seasonal debut at Aintree last month.

However, that did not go to plan with the dual champion chaser trailing in last of the three runners.

Jacob was appointed second jockey to Nicholls in the summer, and while Noel Fehily, who has recently returned from injury, was in the frame for the mount after partnering him to success in the Amlin 1965 Chase 12 months ago, Nicholls stuck with Jacob.

“I have literally just put the phone down to Clive and I can reveal that Ruby rides Kauto Star at Haydock on Saturday, and Daryl rides Master Minded at Ascot,” Nicholls wrote in his Betfair column.

“Obviously, that is all dependent on the horses pleasing me and all going well in their preparation this week.

“Ruby will ride all my Haydock horses on Friday and Saturday, and Daryl will ride my Ascot runners.

“Clearly, it makes sense for Ruby to partner Kauto Star. But while Noel was in the frame for Master Minded, having won the Ascot race on him last year and next time up at Cheltenham too, Daryl is now our second jockey and he gets the ride.

“Furthermore, Daryl has done a lot of work and schooling on Master Minded at home, too.”