Walsh appeal dismissed by BHA

Ruby Walsh has had his appeal against a three-day careless riding ban dismissed following a hearing at the British Horseracing Authority this morning.

Walsh was handed the suspension and demoted from first place after last Saturday's JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham when his mount, Pearl Swan, leaned onto Grumeti inside the final furlong.

After crossing the line a short head in front, the raceday stewards deemed the interference serious enough to have affected the result of the race.

The ban rules him out of the Betfair Hurdle fixture at Newbury on February 11, which also features races like the Game Spirit and Denman Chases on the same card.

The BHA's Nicky Lander said: "I can confirm that Ruby Walsh's appeal against his three-day ban has been dismissed."

The BHA later tweeted that Walsh had successfully requested to defer the second day of his suspension due to there being Grade One action in Ireland.

Walsh will now be free to ride at the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup meeting at Leopardstown with the jockey being banned on February 11, 13 and 14.

Walsh left London immediately to catch a flight back to Ireland where he is due to ride last year`s Grand National sixth The Midnight Club at Clonmel.

Walsh tweeted: "Lost appeal but made flight hopefully the midnight club can bring some good out of the day!"