Ruby Walsh confident of returning for Galway festival

Ruby Walsh says he will have no problem being fit for the Galway festival, which starts on July 30.

Walsh has not ridden since the Cheltenham Festival in March but is now well on the road to recovery, and is riding out at Willie Mullins' yard.

"The injury is coming along really well," he reported. "I've been riding out at Willie's for a couple of weeks now and it feels great.

“I was targeting Auteuil but when I couldn't make the Prix La Barka meeting, the next meeting you want to be targeting is Galway, so I'm looking forward to making that festival."

He also told Paddy Power: “I haven't seen the doctor in a couple of weeks as I've been riding out, but there's no issue on that front. Galway is five weeks away and I'll have no problem in making that."

Murtagh head girl on the mend

Johnny Murtagh has issued a positive update on the wellbeing of his head girl Valerie Keatley, who suffered concussion in a fall on the Curragh last Thursday.

The trainer said of the valued member of his Fox Covert team: "She's very good, thankfully. She was up this morning having breakfast and I think everything is going in the right direction."

Keatley, who was nominated for the 'Leads By Example Award' at last month's Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, remains in hospital in Naas.

Ascot absentee Icon heads to Hong Kong

Adrian Keatley's star three-year-old London Icon has run his last race for the Curragh-based trainer, with the 103-rated colt set to continue his career in Hong Kong.

The son of Elzaam was touted for the St James's Palace or Jersey Stakes, but Classic-winning trainer Keatley voiced concerns in the Racing Post last week that a prearranged deal when purchased by his Hong Kong-based owner meant he may not take up a Royal Ascot engagement. That was confirmed on Monday.

Keatley tweeted: "Today is a sad day for everyone at Adrian Keatley Racing as we say goodbye to one of our stable stars. Unfortunately for us and for everyone else, we ran out of time to get to show his full potential."

He added: "He was a pleasure to have at our yard and hopefully he'll show off his abilities in Hong Kong. Goodbye, big fella. Hopefully we'll be cheering you on in Sha Tin or Happy Valley soon – thank you for the memories."

New Market Rasen sponsor

The biggest and richest raceday of the year at Market Rasen has a new backer.

188BET will sponsor Summer Plate Ladies’ Day in association with Lincs FM on Saturday, July 21.

The meeting regularly attracts more than 8,500 racegoers and features the £50,000 Listed Summer Plate, the most valuable race staged at the track.

Total prize-money in 2018 is up by just under ten per cent to £143,000, with the accompanying Listed 188BET Summer Hurdle now worth £40,000.

188BET have been a sponsor at Market Rasen since September 2016, with support during the autumn and winter jump racing programme totalling 63 races.

Market Rasen manager Nadia Powell said: “It's pleasing to develop further our established partnership with 188BET. With advance sales well ahead of previous seasons, we anticipate we'll be welcoming a large crowd on July 21.”

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