Ruby Walsh would consider training Flat horses when he retires from the saddle. The Irish National Hunt jockey believes it would make more economic sense to snub jumps racing when he eventually calls time on a distinguished riding career.

Walsh, 34, is, however, adamant retirement is not yet even a consideration. “The lifespan of a jockey has definitely increased in the last 10 years,” he said. Whereas 34, 35 used to be the norm, it now seems to be 40 so hopefully I’ve a few more years in me, but if I was to go training horses I would train Flat horses.

“Flat racing is a business, it’s where the money is. Jump racing, unfortunately, is the poor relation. Flat racing is global, worldwide.

“Jump racing is confined between ourselves, England, a small bit in France, a tiny bit in Australia and a little bit in America. We were in Japan (for Blackstairmountain’s victory in the Nakayama Grand Jump last April), there’s big prize-money there, but there’s very few races. Flat racing is global.”