Walsh out to improve tasty Taunton strike-rate

RUBY WALSH has two excellent chances to improve his impressive strike-rate at Taunton this afternoon as he partners a pair of Paul Nicholls-trained hotpots.

The top jockey, who rode at Naas on Sunday despite suffering two crashing falls at Chepstow on Saturday, rides Sound Investment (8-13) in the opening maiden hurdle and Saphir Du Rheu (11-10) in the 2m1f novice hurdle.

A regular at the track, Walsh has a 49 per cent strike-rate in the last five years, while old rival Tony McCoy is also at the course for a strong book of rides.

The pick of his four appears to be recent Plumpton winner Cantlow (2.40), who bids for back-to-back wins en route to bigger targets in the spring.

The novice chaser's trainer Paul Webber said: "We're just trying to get in a bit more experience in little fields before he has to take on something bigger.

"He seems in good form and the more practice the better."

The all-weather meetings at Kempton and Wolverhampton complete Monday's line-up.

Going report
Taunton: Soft, heavy in places
Kempton: Standard
Wolverhampton: Standard