Walsh to appeal Cheltenham ban

Ruby Walsh has appealed against the three-day ban he incurred at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Walsh was found guilty of causing interference when partnering Pearl Swan to be first past the post in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.

While he beat Grumeti a short head, the two horses got very close in the finish and the stewards opted to reverse the places and banned Walsh for his efforts in the saddle.

The suspension means Walsh would miss the ride aboard Zarkandar in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on 11 February, but the British Horseracing Authority said the jockey contested the decision on Monday morning.

"You'd never be optimistic (of getting it overturned), but I didn't think it warranted a three-day ban," he told At The Races.

"It was very minimal interference and a very minimal offence, if I'm guilty of an offence."