Ruby Walsh To Partner Azertyuiop In Arkle

Ruby Walsh's successful partnership with top British trainer Paul Nicholls will continue at the Cheltenham Festival next week when it was confirmed that Walsh has been booked to ride Azertyuiop in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.

Walsh also had the choice to ride the Willie Mullins-trained Adamant Approach who he had partnered to victory at Punchestown in December.

The jockey, second to Tony McCoy in betting on the leading rider at the Festival, also had to choose between the two stables in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and will partner Royal Alphabet for Mullins rather than the Nicholls-trained 4-1 joint favourite Cornish Rebel.

Walsh had ridden the latter - a full brother to Best Mate - to an eye catching success at Newbury last month. Royal Alphabet has been the subject of a flurry of cash with bookmakers, resulting in Paddy Power halving his odds from 14-1 into 7-1.

It was Mullins who ended the debate over the Arkle when he confirmed that Paul Carberry will ride Adamant Approach in the big race.

Mullins said: 'Ruby has decided to ride Azertyuiop so I have booked Paul for our horse.'

Walsh said: 'Azertyuiop is a very good horse with a very good chance. But it was a tough call between the two horses and I just hopeI've picked the right one.'

Walsh will ride Royal Alphabet for Mullins in the Bumper for whom he won the race on Alexander Banquet in 1998.

Mullins, who has won the contest on four occasions, said: 'I have four possibles for the race this year and the only definite plan at this stage is that Ruby will ride Royal Alphabet.

'Royal Alphabet was at home and not in our yard while many of the horses weren't right and he is in very good form. Mr Babbage, Kim Fontaine and Davenport Democrat may also run.'

Mullins nominated the Festival Bumper as Royal Alphabet's target after the five-year-old made a winning debut at the Galway Festival in August. The son of King's Theatre has not run since.