RUBY Walsh has had his comeback from injury delayed. The leading jockey has been sidelined since suffering a broken leg in a fall at Punchestown on November 18th.

Walsh revealed earlier this week that he had started riding out again, but he is not riding at either Fairyhouse or Naas this weekend. He told Racing UK: “It’s disappointing not to back yet. Hopefully I’ll be back next weekend but it’s risk versus reward at this stage. The reward is Cheltenham so what risks do you take? That will be the quandary facing me next week,”

Navan races next Saturday and Leopardstown stages a two-day meeting next Sunday and Monday.

There will be schooling after racing at Leopardstown on Monday week, for jumps and flat horses, while on Tuesday week, from 8am to 12pm, there will be schooling at Leopardstown restricted to horses aimed at the Cheltenham and Fairyhouse Easter festivals.

CHELTENHAM RIDES

Walsh has been leading jockey at Cheltenham on 12 occasions and is set to ride the hot favourites Getabird and Footpad in the opening two races there on March 13th. His Cheltenham book of rides is also likely to include favourites Un De Sceaux, Laurina and Next Destination.