Ruby hoping to sparkle once again

Ruby Walsh will return to the saddle at Fairyhouse tomorrow with the aim of being back at his formidable best when the jumps season moves up a gear at Cheltenham this weekend.

Walsh broke a hip in a fall from a novice chaser at Listowel eight weeks ago and was still hobbling around on crutches when he took a break at the Breeders' Cup meeting in California late last month.

A visit to watch Ireland play in the Rugby World Cup in Australia helped further his recovery, and the dual Irish champion has some choice rides lined up for Paul Nicholls this weekend. Nicholls said: "A lot still depends on the weather, but Ruby will ride Le Roi Miguel in the big handicap chase on Friday if we get the rain that the weathermen are forecasting and he'll also be on Poliantas in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday.

"It's been a difficult year for getting horses fit first time out, but Poliantas is as straight as I can get him at home and I can see him going very well."

Nicholls has an arrangement for Walsh to ride the majority of his best horses this winter and will welcome him back to the fold after a frustrating spell in which three of his best chasers have failed to complete the course.

He added: "Ruby's a top-class jockey. He's missed a couple of months, but it's a long old season and it will be great to have him back."