RUBY Walsh paid tribute to Nichols Canyon following the seven-year-old's death at Leopardstown on Thursday.

The eight-time Grade 1 star suffered a fatal injury when he fell at the fifth flight in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle.

Walsh told the Irish Examiner: "From a personal point of view, the low point of the week was Nichols Canyon being fatally injured.

"He was a wonderful little horse, who brought great pride to the yard. He was a great little character.

"The manner in which his owners, Graham and Andrea Wylie, conducted themselves on Thursday was incredible."

Willie Mullins' charge lifted the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March for what proved to be his final success at the top level.

But arguably his greatest triumph was when lowering the colours of his stablemate Faugheen in the 2015 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

Nichols Canyon won 12 of his 20 career starts.