Walsh to bid for National trio on Midnight Club

His hand was effectively forced after Paul Nicholls, the champion trainer, confirmed yesterday that Harry Skelton will ride Niche Market at Aintree on April 9, retaining the partnership that won the Irish National two years ago.

With Daryl Jacob booked to ride What A Friend, who is co-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, it paved the way for Walsh – a two-time National winner – to ride The Midnight Club for Willie Mullins, his primary trainer in Ireland.

The 10-year-old became ante-post favourite for the National after winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last month.

Walsh, triumphant on Papillon (2000) and Hedgehunter (2005), missed last year’s National following a heavy fall in a preceding race.

Mullins said he is delighted to have secured the services of Walsh.

“The Midnight Club is in good form. He worked twice during the week and we’re very pleased with him,” said the trainer who was also responsible for Hedgehunter’s success.”

Mullins is less certain about the riding arrangements for his other horses, who include Dooneys Gate, Scotsirish, Ballytrim, Arbor Supreme and Our Monty, after Walsh’s deputy – Paul Townend – fractured his left collarbone at Navan on Saturday.

Ironcially it was Townend, Ireland’s title-leading jockey this season, who was in the saddle as a replacement for the sidelined Walsh when The Midnight Club won his prep race.

However Barry Geraghty – victorious on Monty’s Pass in 2003 – hopes to be fit for Aintree after suffering a bad fall at Newbury on Saturday.

The Irish jockey escaped serious injury but admitted feeling sore after taking the tumble from Kerada at the fourth-last fence in the mares’ novice handicap chase final.

“I’m fairly sore. I’ve been having an ice pack on my neck,” he said. “My shoulder was very bad yesterday and last night. It’s a bit better but my neck is bad at the minute from whiplash.

“There’s no major damage done and it will take a few days or a week. I’ll definitely be back in time for Aintree and I’m sure I’ll be riding at the weekend or so.”

However, the Newbury meeting will be remembered for a quite unbelievable ride by Malton-born Andrew Tinkler in the staying handicap chase aboard Rey Nacarado.

Over the final three fences, he had to overcome a slipping saddle – and the relentless challenge of the aforementioned Walsh on Maktu to prevail.

Tinkler’s dilemma was an acute one: if he lost his tack, and he was using a very slight saddle because the Charlie Longsdon-trained horse only had 10st 1lb, he would have been disqualified.

“Andrew did amazingly well to stay on board as between the last two fences you could see the saddle moving around,” said Longsdon.

Tinkler is uncertain of his National ride – his primary trainer, Nicky Henderson, has no runners in the Aintree marathon which could scupper his chances of beating Nicholls in the trainers’ championship (which is determined on prize money rather than wins).

However, Gold Cup hero Long Run is on course to reappear in the Totesport Bowl – the day one highlight of the National meeting – while Binocular is also set to reappear at Aintree after missing his Champion Hurdle defence because of an allergy.

Nevertheless Henderson can draw comfort from the fact that Nicholls has never trained a National winner; his best effort was in 2005 when Royal Auclair chased home Walsh’s Hedgehunter.