Nicholls Hit By Walsh Blow

Paul Nicholls could be one of the biggest losers when it comes to the consequences of the new whipping rule in the UK, with regular jockey Ruby Walsh deciding to limit his rides in Britain.

The Irishman made the decision following the five-day ban he received for the winning ride on Nicholls’ runner Edgardo Sol, when he got up by a nose in the opening race on Saturday from Aintree. Walsh was given the ban after stewards ruled that he had struck the horse one more than maximum of eight allowed in a National Hunt races.

The ban means Walsh will now miss the Grade One JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal next month, which has infuriated the 32-year old in to making the decision.

Nicholls may have to find an alternative jockey for the ride on Poquelin in the Charlie Hall Chase from Wetherby on Saturday, if Walsh rules himself out of the ride. Those looking at the betting should bear this in mind.

The Kildare-born jockey has pulled out of his mounts at Chepstow on Tuesday and those initially booked for the meeting at Wetherby on Friday.

Walsh did receive the support of most of his colleagues on Saturday, as they were reluctant to come out of the weighroom for the second race on Saturday in anger of the ban the Irishman received.

The decision comes 10 days after Richard Hughes had announced he was to give up his licence to ride following his second consecutive ban under the new rules. Hughes has recently decided to return to the saddle though, following the British Horseracing Authority’s decision to amend the new ruling.