Murphy set for six-week lay-off with broken arm

Timmy Murphy will be out for between four and six weeks after breaking his right arm in a fall at Punchestown on Tuesday.

It was originally thought that he had broken his wrist but it was discovered that the damage was to the arm when he was operated on in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, yesterday.

“Timmy has broken his right arm. He was operated on in Dublin yesterday and the arm was plated and pinned,” his agent Chris Broad said today.

“It was a very clean break so we are optimistic that it will heal cleanly but he will be out for about four to six weeks.”

Murphy came to grief on Emotional Article at the fourth-last flight in the Tote Ireland 75th Anniversary-sponsored Handicap Hurdle.

The Tom Taaffe-trained gelding fell heavily and Murphy appeared to be kicked by several horses, including the winner Mansony, before being stretchered away from the scene.

Murphy, champion owner David Johnson’s retained rider, is likely to remain in Ireland at his parents house and will return to the hospital in a week’s time to see a specialist.

“He is in good spirits but but he won’t be happy to see Tony McCoy and Richard Johnson knocking in the winners during the early weeks of the new season in his absence,” added Broad.