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.”

Daryl Jacob also faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering multiple injuries in a dramatic incident before the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Jacob’s mount, the Paul Nicholls-trained Port Melon, crashed into a rail before the race, throwing the rider to the ground in a spectator area and sending a Channel 4 camera position flying.

Jacob, who won the preceding County Hurdle on Nicholls’ Lac Fontana, was seen being stretchered away from the area but while conscious was complaining of pain in one of his legs.

Jacob was taken to hospital for assessment, and Nicholls later told Racing UK: “It’s not great news, I’m afraid. It’s been confirmed at the hospital he’s broken his knee, his leg and his elbow.

“He’s going to be operated on tomorrow morning. It’s devastating for him and is going to put him out for a while. I’ve seen the video of the incident and it’s horrific.

“Obviously, he’s desperately disappointed, but I’m glad he rode that winner on Lac Fontana or else he’d have been suicidal. He’s ridden a winner, he’s in good spirits, but it’s terrible news having an injury like that.”