Cheltenham Festival 2014: Ruby Walsh breaks arm after dramatic fall during Triumph Hurdle

It means a premature end to the festival for the jockey

Ruby Walsh on Abbyssial falls in the JCB Triumph Hurdle during the Cheltenham Festival (GETTY IMAGES)

Ruby Walsh's Cheltenham Festival came to a premature end after a crashing fall in the first race left him nursing a broken arm.

The rider was diagnosed with a compound fracture of his right humerus, the bone in the upper arm, after parting company with Abbyssial in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Walsh was leading the field over the second hurdle when taking a crunching spill, bringing down stablemate Adriana Des Mottes in the process.

Walsh was able to walk gingerly to the ambulance, but could be seen holding his arm.

The rider was set to undergo surgery on the open fracture at Gloucester Hospital.

A racecourse spokesperson said: "He has a compound fracture of his right humerus. He has been taken to Gloucester for surgery."