Ruby Walsh intends to return to the saddle later this week following his horror fall at Aintree on Saturday.

Walsh missed the John Smith's Grand National after falling from Zarkandar in the Aintree Hurdle, the second time in three years he has hit the deck in the two-mile-four-furlong Grade 1.

It was feared Walsh had suffered serious injuries in the fall but fortunately he was able to stand up and walk back to the weigh-room where he was immediately taken away to be examined by medics.

While he escaped serious injury he was stood down for the remainder of the day, missing the ride on On His Own, but he is hopeful of returning to the saddle at the end of the week.

"I don't feel too bad now. I suffered a lot of bruising and soreness but hopefully I can be at Cheltenham on Wednesday or Thursday, and if not then, we'd be looking at Friday," Walsh told Racing UK.

"After the incident, I was trying not to think of the prospect of not riding in the National. But it was a pretty heavy fall and I was feeling very sore, so the doctor had no option to quite rightly stand me down."

Despite his disappointment at missing out, Walsh watched the Grand National to cheer on his sister Katie as she made her way around Aintree aboard Seabass and he was delighted as they came home third.

"I wasn't actually that nervous as they were jumping so well," he said.

"At the second-last I thought she could win, but at the last you could see they were tiring. I was delighted for Katie and she loved every minute of it."

As stable jockey to Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls, Walsh had his pick of horses but he sided with On His Own instead of eventual winner Neptune Collonges.

"I was also looking out for On His Own and of course, Neptune Collonges. It was a great result for Paul and I was very pleased for the yard. He jumped super and it shows you have to stay to win an English National," he added.