Thomas out of Festival after cracking vertebrae in fall on gallops

SAM Thomas has been ruled out of next week’s Cheltenham Festival after suffering cracked vertebrae in a fall on the gallops at Paul Nicholls’ yard yesterday morning.

The Gold Cup-winning jockey sustained back and neck injuries and was airlifted to Royal United Hospital in Bath following a schooling accident at first lot.

Trainer Tom George, for whom Thomas is stable jockey, this evening reported his injuries to be not as serious as first feared, but did confirm he will not be riding at the Festival.