Ruby Walsh's exit for Ireland leaves a void for Paul Nicholls and British racing It is no coincidence that Walsh makes his exit after his favourite Kauto Star and Master Minded, as well as the mighty Denman, have all been retired. Big Buck's, the four-time winner of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, is still on the sidelines recovering from injury. The travelling was bearable when those big names were around, but not now. Nicholls, who only recently lost his trainer's title to Nicky Henderson, will seriously miss having Walsh as his jockey. It is a big draw to have the services of such a brilliant horseman, and it is a very attractive card to produce when trying to recruit owners. Nicholls was adamant that he remained on good terms with Walsh, and that there would be occasions on which they teamed up again in the future. "No way at all have we had a split or a falling out, like people try to make out," he said. We're the best of mates, always will be. I've just got to respect his decision. I've known about it for some time. Walsh and Nicholls combined for around 600 winners during their partnership, which dated back to October 2002. "It all started with a handshake when, both strangers [to each other], we met walking around Leopardstown one day," Nicholls recalled. Their greatest moments came with Kauto Star, who won five King Georges and two Cheltenham Gold Cups for the pair. If some viewed the winning of the title by Henderson as a defining move in establishing a new pecking order in National Hunt racing, they should think again. With Walsh now fully devoted to Mullins, who already has the biggest buying strength of any trainer in the game, the power base has quite conclusively transferred to Ireland. Top five moments for Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls 2011 King George VI Chase, Kempton Kauto Star returns to his best for a fifth win in the race. 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup Kauto Star becomes the first to win back the Gold Cup crown. 2012 Ladbrokes World Hurdle, Cheltenham Big Buck's effortlessly wins for the fourth consecutive year. 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup, Newbury Denman courageously wins his second Hennessy under top weight. 2008 Queen Mother Champion Chase, Cheltenham Master Minded easily wins first of two Champion Chases.