Walsh hot favourite to regain title The overnight news that Ruby Walsh is to concentrate on the domestic scene after ending his long-term association with the Paul Nicholls yard has caused a shake-up in the market for the 2013/14 National Hunt champion jockey. Walsh has hardened from 4/6 to 1/3 with Stan James to regain the title he last won in 2009/10 with 108 winners. The 34-year-old has been champion a total of eight times, and again broke the century mark last term when just falling a couple of winners short of Davy Russell’s tally of 103. Stan James spokesman Joseph Burke commented, “We think that when he (Walsh) can push Davy all the way to the line whilst riding in England, as he did last season, that he is a certainty if he stays closer to home. Providing he remains injury free of course.” Russell, who has won the championship for the past two seasons, is a 2/1 chance with Stan James. They also quote Bryan Cooper at 14/1, while 2010/11 champion Paul Townend is 20/1. Boylesports have also shortened Walsh and they bet: 4/9 Ruby Walsh, 7/4 Davy Russell, 14/1 Paul Townend, 33/1 Bar. Russell is currently recovering from an operation on a punctured lung, while Cooper will be on the sidelines for a number of months after breaking his left leg in a fall at Down Royal on May 6.
