Ruby Walsh gets the best laughs but also gives important message on awards night

Lee Mottershead reports from the annual jumps awards evening

A McCoy was missing from The McCoys but inside Cheltenham's vast Centaur hall there was most definitely a Ruby, who stole the show along with Judith Chalmers' son.

The programme stated the evening's final award, supported by title sponsor Dodson & Horrell, would be of the outstanding contribution variety.

Given among those in attendance was Ruby Walsh, the most successful jockey in Cheltenham Festival history and now retired from raceriding, the odds about who would lift that award were always short. Those odds were quite rightly landed. First, though, let us return to Judith's boy.

Mark Durden-Smith presents rugby union coverage on Channel 5. On this occasion he joined Hayley Moore to present a ceremony celebrating the heroes of the 2018-19 jumps season across Jockey Club Racecourses. Durden-Smith made quite an impression.

He explained that Sir Anthony McCoy, who gives his name to the event, was this year in Scotland, taking part in the Alfred Dunhill golf pro-am competition.

"I think it's a gauge of how much these awards mean to him that he's not here tonight," said Durden-Smith, linking to a video in which McCoy explained he could hardly turn down the chance to share some Scottish links action with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Justin Timberlake.

That meant Timberlake was also missing from The McCoys, as was another keen golfer, JP McManus. "He didn't play great today," said McManus's racing manager Frank Berry in a quiet, sombre voice as he received McManus's leading owner prize.

It should have come as no surprise that leading trainer and jockey statuettes went to Paul Nicholls and Richard Johnson, while the conditional rider's award was understandably won by Bryony Frost, who on the Thursday of the festival kicked off that incredible golden hour when triumphant on Frodon.

Durden-Smith asked Frost one question, to which Frost gave one extremely full reply. "Draw breath, Bryony, draw breath," Durden-Smith implored, mid-answer.

"I don't want to have to do CPR." Frost smiled, as did we all when Frodon's owner Paul Vogt received the chaser of the season prize. "Frodon is a great listener," he said, adding: "That's very important when you have Bryony riding."

Bryony Frost is the star of the show again as she picks up her Conditional Jockeys awardCredit: Dan Abraham

The magic hour was completed by Paisley Park, whose owner Andrew Gemmell was applauded long and loud before recalling that amazing day.

"I didn't sleep the night before and I couldn't sleep the night after because I was so happy," he said. "I'll never have anything like this again. I think about it almost every day."

It would be a surprise if Gordon Elliott did not think daily about Tiger Roll, the quadruple Cheltenham Festival champion who in April will seek to emulate Red Rum.

Asked, however, if it was all systems go for that Aintree afternoon, Elliott answered: "No. It's all systems go for the cross-country. The Grand National comes after that."

Newsflash time. Once we get to the world's greatest steeplechase, Tiger Roll could have a fascinating new challenger. "We're going to branch out with Altior this season," said Nicky Henderson. "We're actually thinking about the Grand National."

It's just possible Henderson was joking, as was Durden-Smith when congratulating Nico de Boinville, whose Coral Cup success was named ride of the season. "I always thought that was your porn name," said the host. De Boinville changed the subject.

The subject became more serious and emotional when the Racing Post-backed stable staff category honoured the Pipe family stalwart Suzanne Lower and one of Paul Nicholls' chief lieutenants, Rose Loxton, who was diagnosed with cancer while hospitalised after a serious gallops fall last November.

"We've been through so much but it's the horses that keep you going," said Loxton. The standing ovation she received from friends and colleagues highlighted that Loxton does as much for the horses as they do for her.

Almost impossible to quantify is how much Walsh and Noel Fehily have done for racing, not least here at Cheltenham. "I loved every minute of it," said Fehily when receiving a prize to mark his retirement.

He was in super form, as most definitely was Walsh. Asked what he had missed since quitting the saddle in May, the answer was clear. "Other than the money, nothing," he said, earning a big laugh.

He earned another with his response when it was put to him that he rode for some great trainers. "I did," he agreed. "Dickie was thanking them all, saying how good they all are to support him. I can stand here now and say how lucky they were to have me."

Walsh also revealed he was looking forward to some television work with McCoy, which bodes well for ITV viewers. Those viewers, Walsh reminded us, were fans of a fantastic sport.

"Racing needs to pull together and push forward," he said. "It's amazing the talent we have. We need to make the most of who we are and what we have."

Racing Post editor Tom Kerr with an all-smiling Rose Loxton, who received the award for Highly commended stable personCredit: Dan Abraham

As we approach the core jumps season, so many fantastic afternoons set before us, Walsh's words rang loud and true.

THE McCOYS ROLL OF HONOUR

Horse performance Tiger Roll (Grand National)
Horse of the season Altior
Hurdler Paisley Park
Novice hurdler Dyliev
Chaser Frodon
Novice chaser Defi Du Seuil
Leading owner prizes JP McManus and Patricia Pugh
Leading trainer prizes Paul Nicholls and Tom Lacey
Professional jockey Richard Johnson
Conditional jockey Bryony Frost
Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen
Ride of the season Nico de Boinville (William Henry, Coral Cup)
Pony Racing Charlie Sprake
Stable Person of the Year Suzanne Lower
Highly commended stable person Rose Loxton
South West frequent runner Colin Tizzard and Jeremy Scott
Judges' choice Noel Fehily
Outstanding contribution Ruby Walsh

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