Ruby Walsh's Punchestown Festival got off to the worst possible start today when he suffered a heavy fall in the opening event of the prestigious five-day meeting.
The jockey, who has twice been the leading rider at the meeting, was riding Shady Lad, who took a crashing fall at the first bank fence in the inaugural running of the Kildare Hunt Club Steeplechase.
He was subsequently stood down for the rest of the day by the racecourse doctor.