The champion jockey Ruby Walsh received a boost for his hopes of returning to action at Christmas by starting a course of physiotherapy on his broken leg last night.

Half of the plaster enclosing the injured leg was removed yesterday leaving Walsh free to build up its strength. He broke his leg when riding at the famous Velka Pardubice meeting in the Czech Republic on October 10th. "The aim is still to come back at Christmas and my doctor seems positive enough that that will happen," Walsh said yesterday.

"With half the plaster off I'm able to cycle, swim and walk - everything really except ride a horse. I'm starting some physio and hopefully things will go well," he added.

Walsh had ridden 17 winners this season before his Czech accident and he faces a huge task if he is to reel in the championship leader Barry Geraghty who is on the 44-winner mark.