Walsh withdraws appeal after viewing race video

14 April 2012

Ruby Walsh has decided to take his medicine after informing the Jockey Club that he has withdrawn his appeal against a contentious three-day ban imposed on him for careless riding at Ascot last Saturday.

Walsh has enjoyed a charmed run since joining Paul Nicholls as stable jockey this season but left Ascot in angry mood after being suspended for an incident which saw the Hughie Morrisontrained Thieves'glen brought down on the turn for home.

Morrison has made his feelings clear by saying that "the punishment didn't fit the crime" and adding that Thieves'glen will have to miss the rest of the season due to the injuries he sustained in the incident.

Walsh disagreed and launched an appeal which was scheduled for tomorrow, but he had a change of heart after examining the video this morning and will now miss the prestigious Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park tomorrow week.

Elsewhere, Devon trainer Victor Dartnall feels Hawdeth can make a bold show in Saturday's Tote Scoop6 Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton if he avoids the traffic problems which cost him dear 12 months ago.

The chestnut came from an impossible position to chase home Non So last year and warmed up for a repeat bid by finishing second to Greenhope at Kempton over Christmas.

"He was so unlucky last year as he was knocked all over the place," said Dartnall.

"He's 3lb higher this time, but we hope for better luck and Jim Culloty will ride if he's available." Elsewhere, Corals were busy fielding steady ante-post support for Kingscliff in the Gold Cup market today after Robert Alner reported that his stable star came back from his defeat in Haydock's Peter Marsh Chase with a muscular problem which is now being treated.

Dorset-based trainer Alner now plans to fre shen Kingscliff up and go straight to the Cheltenham Festival, but Coral are happy to stay out on a limb at 16-1 according to spokesman Simon Clare. "We're keen to take money for anything apart from Best Mate," he said.

"He's still a 4-6 shot, and by going 16-1 about horses like Kingscliff we're effectively backing Best Mate ourselves."

Meanwhile, the BBC's renewed commitment to televised racing has yielded a boost with news that last Saturday's double header from Ascot and Haydock attracted a peak audience of 1.4 million viewers.

Sadly, there will be no chance to build further momentum this weekend, when the "highlight" of Grandstand's live coverage will be indoor bowls from the Potters Leisure resort in Great Yarmouth.

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Walsh withdraws appeal after viewing race video

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