Walsh misses National ride (From Hereford Times)

Walsh misses National ride

3:44pm Saturday 14th April 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Ruby Walsh was forced to give up his ride on leading fancy On His Own in the John Smith's Grand National after a fall from Zarkandar at Aintree.

The jockey was stood down for the rest of the day following his tumble at the sixth flight in the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle.

The British Horseracing Authority tweeted: "Ruby Walsh has been stood down for the rest of the day on medical grounds after assessment following fall on Zarkandar."

Two years ago, Walsh missed the National and was out for several months after being badly injured in the same race in a fall from Celestial Halo.

Paul Townend switched to the Willie Mullins-trained On His Own in the big race, with Andrew Tinkler replacing Townend on The Midnight Club.

Walsh's father, Irish trainer Ted Walsh, told BBC Sport: "He's sore after the fall, and he's disappointed not to be riding in the National.

"It's part of the game. It's not the first time. He had a bad fall two years ago (in the same race) and broke his arm. It's nowhere as serious as that."