Ruby Walsh wasn't surprised to hear that Davy Russell was coming out of retirement following Jack Kennedy's leg break, but believes some of Gordon Elliott's jockeys will have been "gutted" with the news.
Russell announced on Wednesday that he would be returning to the saddle while Kennedy healed from the fifth leg break of his career, insisting that the decision was not a retirement U-turn and stressing that he would be stepping down as a jockey for good once the Kerry rider returns to action.
Elliott was expected to hand rides to young pilots Jordan Gainford and Sam Ewing, as well as senior rider Denis O'Regan, in Kennedy's absence and Walsh believes it is only natural for the youngsters to feel disappointed about the 25-time Cheltenham Festival winner returning.
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Speaking on Road To Cheltenham on Racing TV, Walsh said: "They're both human. I'd say they're gutted to tell you the truth. They're two competitive people, they have to be disappointed. There's no beating around the bush. If they're not, they're not competitive and they are two competitive lads. I'd say they are bitterly disappointed that Davy Russell has found his riding boots and is hoping to fit into them."
The 12-time champion jockey insisted he never considered returning to the saddle after retiring following his victory on Kemboy in the 2019 Punchestown Gold Cup.
He explained: "I retired on the Wednesday and Chacun Pour Soi won a Grade One on the Thursday, I was jocked up to ride him. Benie Des Dieux won on the Saturday and went on to win the French Champion Hurdle. Different circumstances.
"Whenever you retire, you're going to leave winners behind you and you're going to miss winners, but I was pretty clear with what I was doing. I was ready to give it up. There was no coming back for me, but different people...
"As Davy said in his own retirement statement, 'I'm sad to be giving up', I wasn't sad to be giving up so that's two different mindsets."
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