Ruby Walsh missed an opportunity to ride On His Own in the John Smith’s Grand National
Champion jockey, Ruby Walsh, could not participate in the John Smith’s Grand National, where his mount for the race was supposed to be W.P. Mullins trained gelding, On His Own.
He suffered from a fall in the Grade 1 John Smith's Aintree Hurdle at Aintree on 14th April, 2012. He was the mount for Zarkandar, who unseated Walsh after he stumbled on a hurdle.
The British Horse Racing Authority stated that:
"Ruby Walsh has been stood down for the rest of the day on medical grounds after assessment following fall on Zarkandar."
Zarkandar, trained by Paul Nicholls, for owner, Potensis Limited and Chris Giles, entered the Aintree Hurdle as a favourite with the odds of 2 to 1.
Walsh previously led the son of Azamour, out of mare Zarkasha, to a victory in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) at Newbury on 17th February, 2012.
The duo performed in an impressive manner as Zarkandar raced as a favourite with the odds of 11 to 4, and triumphed over the Jonjo O’Neill trained, Get Me Out Of Here, by 1 ¼ lengths.
Walsh got up to his feet after he fell, but was still not allowed to race in the Grand National. His father, Ted Walsh, told the press that:
"He's disappointed to miss the National. It's part of the game. It's not the first time, he had a bad fall two years ago when he broke his arm. So it's not as serious as that."
The Aintree Hurdle is becoming somewhat of a jinx for Ruby Walsh, as he flew off Celestial Halo two years back, and went on to miss the National ride that day.
In the Grand National, On His Own was mounted by jockey, Peter Townend. He fell in the race and could not complete the course.
Many of the runners suffered the same fate as On His Own. Viking Blond, who was mounted by Brian Hughes, was the first to fall. Regarding his fall, he tweeted that:
"Average enough. Just going for x-ray now so will know more then. My face is very swollen."
Synchronised, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner also fell and had to put down because of his fatal injury.
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