Walsh to return on Saturday

Ruby Walsh intends to be back in the saddle on Saturday after needing two stitches to a cut eye following a fall at Naas on Thursday.

The champion jockey had a nasty scare just days before the start of the Cheltenham Festival when taking a tumble from King Of The Refs at the final flight in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle.

He only returned to action last Friday after being sidelined for four months with a broken leg and has yet to ride a winner since.

His planned rides at Sandown on Saturday include Tito Bustillo in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup.

"He's had two stitches, but he's good and he's going to ride on Saturday," said his agent and sister Jennifer.

"The one horse he was due to ride today was a non-runner anyway and he's not going to ride tomorrow either.

"But he's going over to ride in England on Saturday, he'll be back in Ireland on Sunday and then over to Cheltenham on Tuesday."

Walsh will have his usual big book of rides at Cheltenham, with Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls providing him with most ammunition.

They include Master Minded in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase, Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.