Mark Walsh, who leads the Jump Jockeys' Championship currently, has suffered a broken forearm in a fall at Thurles.

Riding 11/4 favourite Winter Breeze in the two miles maiden hurdle, the pair fell at the third last flight leaving Walsh with an arm injury.

Walsh's agent Gary Cribbin reported "Mark is in Blanchardstown Hospital and has suffered a clean break to his forearm.

"He'll have an operation tomorrow morning to have a plate inserted and will be out of action for six weeks. It's not as bad a break as we initially feared but the timing is unfortunate given he currently leads the Jockeys' Championship and would have been in line for rides at the Cheltenham Festival."

Walsh currently leads Paul Townend by nine winners at the head of the Jockeys' Championship.

Tom Weekes