Mark Walsh secures Jonbon ride for Saturday's Celebration Chase at Sandown

Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Mark Walsh will ride Jonbon in the Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday (3.00), after regular rider Nico de Boinville was ruled out of action due to injury.

De Boinville sustained broken ribs and neck injuries after being kicked after the first-flight fall of As The Fella Says during Plumpton's Sussex Champion Chase card on Easter Monday. 

The rider was brought by ambulance to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where he spent the night on Monday for further assessment. He returned home on Tuesday, but will miss a number of key rides for Henderson, who revealed that Gold Cup-winning jockey Walsh will partner Jonbon as he bids for a hat-trick of victories in this weekend's Grade 1.

Speaking on his Unibet blog, Henderson said: "We do have to make riding plans for our horses and Mark Walsh will come over to Sandown Park on Saturday to ride Jonbon."

Jonbon won the Melling Chase at Aintree under Nico de Boinville earlier this monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Walsh, who has three winners from 18 rides for Henderson in Britain and Ireland, said: "I'm looking forward to the race and really excited to be riding him."

Henderson has had to make further changes regarding jockey bookings, with James Bowen called up to potentially ride star hurdler Constitution Hill at Punchestown in the Boodles Champion Hurdle (6.00) on Friday week.

Henderson said: "Constitution Hill has an important gallop on Friday and he will be partnered by James Bowen. If that goes well they will school together over the weekend and if we get a double green light so to speak then we can all head over to Punchestown. Everything hinges on how this weekend goes." 

James Bowen will partner Constitution Hill in his gallop later this weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bowen, who has ridden 118 winners from 589 rides for Henderson in Britain, will also secure the ride on Lulamba if the Triumph Hurdle runner-up heads to Ireland.

Henderson said: "Lulamba is in great form and could also head over. It’s a brave shout but I’m very happy with him and James would also take the ride if we line up."

There has been no timeframe as to how long the Seven Barrows stable jockey will be out for, but Henderson was grateful for all the messages.

He added: "I want to say thank you to everyone for their thoughts and kind messages following Nico’s fall, which we have passed on to him. He is now back at home and will need to rest. We don’t know exactly when he’ll be back riding but we wish him a speedy recovery."

bet365 Celebration Chase (3.00 Sandown, Saturday)
Sponsors: 4-7 Jonbon, 5 Impaire Et Passe, 11-2 Energumene, 7 Gaelic Warrior, 8 Il Etait Temps, 14 Edwardstone, 16 Captain Guinness, 25 bar.

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Nico de Boinville 'definitely won't be riding this week or next' with Nicky Henderson left searching for Jonbon jockey 

'That gallop is going to be crucial' - Constitution Hill's Punchestown run hangs in the balance  

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