Mark Walsh has been confirmed as having suffered a broken arm at Thurles today.

Walsh, who rides the bulk of leading owner JP McManus' Irish-based horses, was partnering the Mick Winters-trained 11-4 favourite Winter Breeze in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle when he came to grief three flights from the finish.

His tumble brought down Dontbackme with Lets High Five It also unseating his rider at the same obstacle.

That was not the end of the drama as Goodluck Noel fell at the second-last, bringing down the Davy Russell-ridden Lahaag

Russell was stood down for the rest of the day, but emerged relatively unscathed. Walsh, however, may not have been so lucky.

His agent Garry Cribbin ‏tweeted on Thursday night: "Mark Walsh has a clean break on his arm and will have a plate put in tomorrow. Out of action for six weeks."

Walsh currently leads the National Hunt jockeys' title race, ahead of Paul Townend and Ruby Walsh.

Thurles clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said: "Mark has gone for an X-ray on his forearm.

"Davy Russell suffered a superficial blow to his elbow and was stood down for the remainder of the day. He should be back soon.

"All the other jockeys involved were fine."