Jockey Andrew Thornton aims for September return

Go Go Go Horse Race: Jockey Andrew Thornton is getting to be back in action by the top of September when undergoing keyhole surgery on his knee injury.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider sustained the injury when his mount Robbie fell at the last within the Mansfield Chad Handicap Hurdle.

He left the course in an exceedingly wheelchair and solely learnt the total extent of his injury on Tuesday, before being operated on later within the day.

"I had everything done yesterday - no messing about! I had a scan, an X-ray and then keyhole surgery at the Ridgeway (Hospital)," Thornton said.

"I had surgery on my left knee to pin my Anterior Cruciate Ligament back to the bone. the nice news was that there was no injury to the ACL.

"My surgeon said it normally happens to youngsters therefore I felt young there for a minute!

"Hopefully i will be able to be back in six to eight weeks, most likely nearer eight, and i will be in an exceedingly knee brace for 3 weeks.

"If it had to happen, this can be most likely an honest time as it's quite quiet currently and i will be back and raring to travel at the top of September, all being well."

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Hunt Ball | Big campaign planned

Hunt Ball | Big campaign planned. Connections of Hunt Ball are plotting an bold four-race campaign for the foremost improved chaser in coaching.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup, followed by the King George VI Chase, a prep race and then the Cheltenham Gold Cup is that the programme being thought-about for the Keiran Burke-trained gelding.

The seven-year-old began his winning spree off a mark of sixty nine at Folkestone in November and progressed through the ranks in lightning fashion, winning seven of 9 starts.

After being successful at the Cheltenham competition within the Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase, he ended the season with third place within the Betfred Bowl at Aintree in April to earn a rating of 157.

"He's getting to return to Keiran's in an exceedingly number of weeks' time and that we are primarily getting to lay him out for the Paddy Power Gold Cup," owner Anthony Knott told At The Races.

"It can take concerning four months to induce him match, thus that is what he is aiming for.

"He's not getting to have that several runs. he is solely getting to have in all probability four. He'll choose the Paddy Power within the middle of November, then he'll choose the King George.

"We'll then attempt to realize a warm-up race for him in February and acquire him prepared for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"I've had the horse back on the farm for concerning 3 months and i am worried to death with him. I've solely got 2 a lot of weeks then it's Keiran's job."

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Cheltenham Festival | Foxhunter needs new sponsor

Cheltenham Festival | Foxhunter needs new sponsor. Christie's have ended their long-running association with the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham pageant.

The world famous auctioneers have sponsored at the pageant for the last thirty four years however they need set to not extend their support when the top of their current three-year deal.

Peter McNeile, director of sponsorship at Cheltenham, said: "It has been a joy to possess the support of such a widely known and successful whole for therefore long at The pageant.

"Christie's has been a wonderful partner for this iconic race, however we'll currently begin the method of talking to alternative interested parties and recruiting a brand new sponsor for a prize that has been existing since 1904, some twenty years before the Cheltenham Gold Cup was initial run."

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