Slight improvement in condition of Tibbatts

Amateur jockey Lee Tibbatts is said to be in a stable condition in hospital this morning.

A spokesman from Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, UK confirmed his condition, which was described as critical yesterday, has improved slightly overnight.

Tibbatts, who is attached to Ron Hodges yard, was thrown when his mount River Of Fire, trained by Chris Kellett, slipped up on the bend seven furlongs out in a handicap for amateur riders’ at Salisbury on Tuesday, leaving him in intensive care suffering from bruising of the brain and slight bleeding.

“They are trying to lighten the sedation and he’s not come round yet,” said Hodges’ wife Mandy this morning.

“There are no broken bones in his body though as they did a scan yesterday but it’s really wait and see now.”

The 24-year-old, who has ridden seven winners to date under both codes, had planned to give up race-riding this month.

Tibbatts, who rides at 9st 7lb, has been based with Somerset-based Hodges for more than three years, but announced earlier this month after riding Noble Calling to victory at Bath, that he intended to hang up his boots to become a farrier.