The Grand National will not be quite the same on Saturday afternoon.
Ruby Walsh, who was scheduled to ride in the Grand National atop Sir Des Champs, will no longer do so after being forced out of action with a hairline fracture to his wrist.
Walsh has won the legendary Aintree race on two occasions in the past but his third victory will have to wait as an injury sustained on Friday has ruled him out.
The Irish jockey fell twice on Friday, first on hot favourite Vautour before suffering a similar fate on Blood Cotil in the Crabbie’s Topham Chase which ruled Walsh out of his final two rides of the afternoon.
Nina Carberry has since been announced as the replacement jockey on Sir Des Champs who, at the time of writing, is priced at 20/1 but is expected to drift significantly.
Fans have been quick to share their disappointment that the two-time Grand National winning jockey will have to wait for a chance to make it three.
https://twitter.com/EdSteele2/status/718510701002768384
Gutted that Ruby Walsh is injured! 🐎
— Sam Clements (@samITFC) April 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/dsaddictionx/status/718509036300279809
Gutted for @Ruby_Walsh Grand National won't be the same
— FanOTheFang (@FanOTheFang) April 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/KingSwiftz/status/718508793055813635
Gutted for Ruby Walsh!
— Joe Atkin (@JoeAtkin_95) April 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/thomasbriggs23/status/718509147747127296
https://twitter.com/BBH74/status/718509783582666752
Harsh on Ruby Walsh that. Gutted for him
— Liam Broley (@ParkEnder90) April 8, 2016
Desperate news for @Ruby_Walsh
— david kelly (@dk3lly) April 8, 2016
