Mercer and Lee in the wars

Top jockeys Keith Mercer and Graham Lee were in the wars at Catterick after they were involved in a nasty incident in the Bradford Juvenile Novices’ Selling Hurdle.

Mercer was on Bellalou, who blundered and fell at the fourth flight bringing down Lee’s mount, Elaala.

Annals was also hampered and unseated Larry McGrath in the spill.

The latter emerged unscathed but Mercer was taken to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton for x-rays on a suspected broken collarbone.

Lee damaged his left foot in the mishap and could face a few days on the sidelines.

He was taken to hospital in Middlesbrough for precautionary X-rays on the injury.

Lee has a red entry in his medical book and will therefore have to pass the racecourse doctor before he resumes riding.

The jockey rides predominantly for Howard Johnson, who said: “I don’t think he’s broken his foot.

“Sue (Johnson) has taken him to hospital, the one at Middlesbrough, because he trains with Middlesbrough Football Club.

“I’ll give Graham Lee his due he’s super-fit and he can hack it but he won’t ride tomorrow.

“Me and him gel and it has come at a bad time.”