Joy turned to despair for Jack Kennedy, who sustained a broken leg at Leopardstown after partnering Delta Work to win the Irish Gold Cup.
The Kerry native is now likely to miss the Cheltenham Festival, which begins on March 13th.
Kennedy unseated from Dallas Des Pictons at the fourth fence just half-an-hour after winning the showpiece of the Dublin Racing Festival.
He was taken to hospital for an x-ray which confirmed a fractured right femur. Kennedy is expected to undergo surgery on Monday.
It is rotten luck for the jockey, who has proven himself under trainer Gordon Elliott.
It would take a minor miracle to recover from such an injury in time for the Olympics of National Hunt racing.
Delta Work is in places joint-favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after winning two Grade 1 races in a row, both with 20-year-old Kennedy on board.
Today's ride in the feature was excellent, as Kennedy galvanised his mount to defeat Kemboy and Presenting Percy.
It's been an interrupted season for Jack Kennedy.
He broke his collarbone last October and this latest mishap will also threaten his participation in the spring festivals at Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
Let's hope he enjoys a speedy recovery.
