Walsh Lined Up For Maze Ride

Tom Mullins is hoping Ruby Walsh will be available to partner Asian Maze if she lines up in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday week.

The seven-year-old has an alternative engagement in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle but after the mare worked at Leopardstown on Sunday, Mullins is leaning towards the three-mile staying event instead.

Walsh partnered Asian Maze to victory at Aintree last season and could be set to take over from Paul Carberry, who got the leg up on her last two starts.

Mullins told At The Races: 'It was a good bit of work yesterday. Ruby was very happy with Asian Maze, he said she was very fit and with only one run up to now you are always wondering if they're fit enough ? but he said she's 100%.

'If she goes to the stayers' race, as far as I know, Ruby is definitely available and I think Paul Carberry would be riding Rosaker for Noel Meade.

'For the Champion, I think both of them are kind of available there. We will see during the week what happens.'

? PA Sport