Kauto Star high marred for Ruby Walsh as he breaks leg at Down Royal

Ruby Walsh steered Kauto Star to a winning reappearance at Down Royal but will be out of action for months after breaking his leg in a fall later at the meeting. Walsh was in high spirits going into the ride on Corrick Bridge in the Rainbow Telecom Handicap Chase, having earlier also won on The Nightingale to complete a big-race double for trainer Paul Nicholls. However, Walsh had a heavy fall at the fifth fence and was taken from the track in an ambulance. Walsh was taken to Lagan Valley Hospital initially and the Irish Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick was in the ambulance with him. However, the jockey was then transferred to the Royal Victoria in Belfast where the break was confirmed. McGoldrick said: "I've just left the hospital and he's definitely fractured his right tibia and fibula. "He'll be kept in hospital overnight and be observed. His x-rays will be looked at by a specialist and all being well he'll be operated on in the morning. In a few days he will then see his own specialist Bill Quinlan, and at that stage he will have a better prognosis of how long he will be out for. It's a real sickener for Ruby, he's not been back long, but it's the nature of the game I'm afraid." Earlier Kauto Star was forced to work hard to get the better of Sizing Europe and China Rock on his seasonal reappearance in the jnwine.com Champion Chase. "It was just the start we wanted. He jumped great which is just what we wanted him to do and we can go on from here," said Nicholls. "I shall know fairly quickly during the week whether he'll go for the Hennessy as I'll be able to tell how hard a race he had and what effect the journey has had. If he's back fresh and well and cantering he might go to the Hennessy [at Nebwury on 27 November], but if I find he's a bit quiet and I need to give him a couple of weeks off he won't go for the Hennessy." Paddy Power make Kauto Star 6-4 favourite from 7-4 for the King George on Boxing Day. William Hill are unchanged at 7-4 for the King George and go 7-1 about his chance in the Hennessy.