Walsh Has Top Rider Title In His Sights

Published at

Ruby Walsh ended day three of the Cheltenham Festival in pole position to claim the Racing Post award for leading rider at the meeting after scoring on Taranis in the Ryanair Chase.

Walsh is equal with Robert Thornton with two wins, but has two second-placed finishes to his name, which could be vital in securing him the title, and he will also be on board hot favourite Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature race this afternoon.

Alan King, Paul Nicholls and Ferdy Murphy are all tied on two winners apiece in the race for the leading trainer.

Nicholls and Murphy were on the mark with Taranis and L'Antartique respectively, but in the event of a tie the result will be decided on prize money.

At this stage King would be awarded the title with £305,092 compared to Nicholls' £239,469. Murphy is on the £108,856 mark.

Latest Stories which may interest you

Ed Walker’s team poised for ‘exciting’ season to start

Ed Walker will be drawn to all corners of the world when the British Flat campaign officially kicks off on Saturday.

'There’s something cool about the notion of Ryan Moore arriving on the bridle on Constitution Hill'

Constitution Hill is taking on seven rivals at Kempton on Wednesday evening at 19:30 and William Hill has him as a 2-11 favourite for his second start on the Flat.

Conor Stone-Walsh describes his first Cheltenham win: 'It was silent for a few seconds and then the noise hits you'

Conor Stone-Walsh has been a name on the minds of owners, trainers and racegoers for the last couple of years. A talent on the Flat before switching codes, he has worked through partnerships with various trainers such as Ian Donoghue and Gavin Cromwell. He had his day in the sun at the Cheltenham Festival when riding his first winner at the meeting in the Cross Country Chase aboard Final Orders, the 7/1 shot.

Gosden: Dubai Turf title for Ombudsman would be plan well executed

John Gosden has explained that Ombudsman’s appearance in the Dubai Turf on Saturday is the culmination of a plan formulated with Sheikh Mohammed in October.