High time to give jockeys a break, says Robbie Power

Punchestown may be the focus of attention right now but the spate of serious injuries suffered by jockeys recently is exercising the minds of the experienced pilots in the Weigh Room.

Robbie Power is coming off his best ever season in terms of winners but it pains him to see colleagues like Davy Condon forced into premature retirement, while another - Robbie McNamara - faces an uncertain future. Davy Russell, Barry Geraghty and Mark Walsh are all just back or on the way back from lengthy lay-offs.

Injuries are part and parcel of the game but the jockeys feel, not unreasonably, that given the unprecedented physical demands being placed on them, it would be helpful if they had a proper off-season which would allow them to rehab and prehab, to freshen up, physically and mentally.