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Walsh embraces art of diplomacy in deciding on National mount
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Walsh embraces art of diplomacy in deciding on National mount
Jockey must weigh up four contenders trained by Paul Nicholls, two by Willie Mullins, and a seventh horse, Southern Vic, trained by his father, Ted
Ruby Walsh intends to spend the coming three days with his feet up, by courtesy of the Cheltenham stewards. His mind will wander frequently to his next big gig, at Aintree next week, but he will not be rushing to conclusions. His trickiest decision of this stellar season can wait a little longer.
Of late, Walsh has not just been a master jockey but a master diplomat, satisfying the demands of two champion trainers without, apparently, putting either nose out of joint. At Cheltenham, he even risked the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson by spurning the mount on his horse in the RSA Chase. But Walsh was proved right, winning the race on Cooldine for Willie Mullins.
It is altogether more complex, however, when it comes to the Grand National. The choice is bigger and there is a personal element to consider. Not only must Walsh weigh up four contenders trained by Paul Nicholls and two by Mullins but a seventh horse, Southern Vic, trained by his father, Ted.
The emotional tug is impossible to overstate, and not merely because the first of Walsh's two National triumphs was also a family affair on Papillon. The Walsh clan is famously close. Ruby's agent and professional support system is his sister, Jennifer, but he discusses every ride with the sounding-board that is his father.
Small wonder, then, that Southern Vic has been backed in to 16-1 this week in expectation of family loyalty. It may, though, be misguided punting, for Walsh is also steely when it comes to his big decisions and will not lightly discard My Will, a worthy favourite after his strong finish into fifth in the Gold Cup.
Nicholls, meanwhile, knows he must rein in his meticulous forward planning. Walsh is so important to his prospects that he will wait for his verdict - probably until early next week - before inking in jockeys for his other runners.
The suspension Walsh starts today was the single downside of an extraordinary Cheltenham. He still shakes that grey head in wonder at the feelings he experienced after seven winners over the most important four days of the season. "I had plenty to drink at the party on Friday night but it might as well have been Holy Water for all the effect it had," he recalled. "The buzz lasted all weekend until tiredness kicked in on the Monday."
Walsh concedes that his whip ban, imposed for the Champion Hurdle ride on Celestial Halo, was technically justified but, ever thoughtful, questions aspects of it. "The horse responded all the way to the line and he was not marked. The rules are correctly there for welfare but also for perception - this wasn't ugly or offensive and if they hadn't banned me, I doubt anyone would have been asking why."
For all that, this is an ideal week for an imposed holiday. Nicholls, certainly, will have little of note for him until Aintree, when Celestial Halo and Denman look increasingly likely to raise the profile of the support races.
In this annual hiatus between the two British jumps festivals, no trainer has been more prolific than Philip Hobbs. Four winners on Saturday increased his tally to 12 in a week and his Aintree team, he says, will include all four of his placed horses at Cheltenham. Parsons Legacy will be his principal National runner but he also hopes that Zabenz, recently ridden to point-to-point wins by his daughters, makes the cut.
Nigel Twiston-Davies, who memorably deprived Hobbs of a National when Bindaree beat What's Up Boys in 2002, intends to run four this year, with Paddy Brennan, the stable jockey, on Knowhere.
One jockey who must miss the National is Seamus Durack, banned for 12 days on Saturday after missing out a fence at Stratford. Five jockeys were similarly punished in a wrong-course incident at Huntingdon yesterday but their bans start after Aintree.
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