RUBY Walsh will miss next week’s Punchestown Festival.

The champion jump jockey suffered a leg injury during the Cheltenham Festival last month and it has not healed in time.

Yesterday he told Racing UK: “I went for an X-ray and, although the doctor was impressed by the bone growth and repair, I won’t be riding at the Punchestown Festival.

“I had been going to the gym, but I kind of knew it was coming. I tested the water last week by taking off the boot and tried to walk on it but it wasn’t strong enough. It is hugely disappointing but I am looking forward to riding once again in the new season.”

Walsh missed most of the winter season after breaking his right leg in November. He only returned to race-riding a few days before the Cheltenham Festival, where he enjoyed Grade 1 wins on Footpad and Benie Des Dieux before taking another crashing fall from Al Boum Photo in the RSA Chase.

At Punchestown Walsh could have expected to ride Douvan, Penhill, Faugheen and Laurina.