Walsh loses appeal against three-day ban

Ruby Walsh has had his appeal against a three-day careless riding ban dismissed following a hearing at the British Horseracing Authority this morning.

The BHA's Nicky Lander said: "I can confirm that Ruby Walsh's appeal against his three-day ban has been dismissed."

Walsh was handed the suspension and demoted from first place after last Saturday’s JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham when his mount, Pearl Swan, leaned onto Grumeti inside the final furlong.

After crossing the line a short head in front, the raceday stewards deemed the interference serious enough to have affected the result of the race.

The ban rules him out of the Betfair Hurdle fixture at Newbury on February 11, which also features races like the Game Spirit and Denman Chases on the same card.