Walsh in the wars at Cheltenham

Ruby Walsh escaped serious injury after taking a crashing fall from Sporazene in the Steel Plate And Sections Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Irishman, who has only recently returned to the saddle after suffering a dislocated shoulder, parted company with the grey in the closing stages of the race, and was quickly attended to by medical staff.

However, clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: “The doctors have checked him over and he is fine.

“He is a bit shaken and he won’t be riding again today, but there are no broken bones.”

Walsh had enjoyed a much better start to the day when riding a double for Sporazene’s trainer Paul Nicholls, including the hugely-impressive Denman in the Grade One stanjamesuk.com Challow Hurdle.