Walsh surgery successful

Ruby Walsh has undergone a successful operation after suffering a double fracture to his right leg at Down Royal yesterday.

Walsh remains in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast following surgery and faces a long spell on the sidelines after his tumble from Corrick Bridge in the Rainbow Telecom Handicap Chase.

“He’s out of surgery. They are happy with the way it went and he’s doing well,” said Ruby’s sister and agent Jennifer.

“I haven’t a clue how long he’ll be out for. I haven’t spoken to Ruby yet, obviously.

“Time-frame wise I haven’t a clue. I just know that every day is one closer to getting back.”

The spill ruined what had been a highly successful day as Walsh had won the two main races on the card – the JNwine.com Champion Chase on Kauto Star and the Ladbrokes.com Chase on The Nightingale.

He had only returned to action in August after fracturing his arm in three places in a crashing fall from Celestial Halo at Aintree in April.