Ruby’s facing Tuesday test on new break

RUBY WALSH will see a specialist on Tuesday hoping to learn how long his latest injury will keep him sidelined. Twenty-four hours after the fall from Al Boum Photo, which aggravated the leg fracture he sustained in November, the Festival’s most successful jockey was sat alongside racegoers in a paddock-side restaurant with wife Gillian and owner Rich Ricci rather than competing on the stage he has dominated. Walsh’s right leg has been put in a cast but that will be taken off next week. The 11-time leading Festival jockey said: ‘I am going home tomorrow and I will know more on Tuesday when I see my specialist and see what the story is. ‘It is the same fracture. It looks like it has re-opened a bit at the side.’ Showing his sense of humour remained intact, he added: ‘I tried to walk it off but I couldn’t.’ Walsh only had two prep rides before Cheltenham. He then rode a double on Day One courtesy of Footpad (Arkle Chase) and Benie Des Dieux (OLBG Mares’ Hurdle) to take his Festival tally to 56. But for his fall it would certainly be 57 by now as Walsh missed a sure-fire winner yesterday when Willie Mullins-trained Laurina won the Truill House Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle by a whopping 18 lengths. Meanwhile, trainer Colin Tizzard will take time to consider the future for Cue Card after the 12-year-old, dual Festival winner was pulled up in yesterday’s Ryanair Chase. Jockey Paddy Brennan said the gelding, making his seventh Festival appearance, had not enjoyed the sticky ground. Tizzard added: ‘He has been a brave horse for a long time. We will not make any rash statements and we are not going to mention that word (retirement).’