Ruby Walsh back for Ayr’s National meeting

Walsh had hoped to be back in action for Cheltenham’s two-day fixture this afternoon and tomorrow but will wait for the Scottish Grand National meeting instead.

The champion jockey missed the Grand National for the second time in three years after falling from Zarkandar at the sixth flight in the Aintree Hurdle before the big race on Saturday.

Walsh was due to ride On His Own in the Aintree showpiece but was replaced by Paul Townend.

With the Punchestown Festival also on the horizon Walsh felt it prudent not to rush his return.

“I’m still a little stiff and I think two more days’ rest is the sensible thing,” Walsh told www.racinguk.com. “While it’s a good meeting at Cheltenham, the priority is being 100 per cent fit for Ayr this weekend, and then Punchestown next week.”

In the Scottish National, Walsh is pencilled in for the ride on Harry The Viking, co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and trained by Paul Nicholls. The seven-year-old is the 6-1 favourite with sponsors Coral.

Meanwhile, trainer David Pipe has confirmed that Junior is a potential starter in Saturday’s big race at Ayr after his second-fence fall in the Grand National at Aintree.

On his website www.davidpipe.com, the Pond House handler said: “Junior was an early casualty, departing at the second fence and as such he doesn’t know that he has had a race.

“We have left him in the Scottish National at Ayr this weekend and he could well participate in that, although he will have to contend with top-weight.”

As well as Harry the Viking, Coral also report money for Scottish-trained pair Lie Forrit (12-1 from 16-1) and Abbeybraney (25-1 from 40-1).

Coral’s David Stevens said: “Merigo was a popular ‘home’ winner two years ago, and the money for Lie Forrit and Abbeybraney suggests the prize could be staying north of the border once again, although Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that’s not the case.”