Munro to see specialist after 'convulsion'

Alan Munro is set to see a specialist after suffering what he described as "a convulsion" on a flight to Deauville on Sunday.

The 39-year-old jockey was due to partner Dutch Art for Peter Chapple-Hyam in the Prix Morny but was replaced by Christophe Soumillon in the Group One event with Munro’s absence put down to the flu. The colt won by a length. He also missed the winning ride on Sergeant Cecil in the Group Two Lonsdale Cup at York on Tuesday.

However, it has emerged that Munro’s absence is more serious than initially reported and he cannot ride until being given clearance by Dr Michael Turner, the Horseracing Regulatory Authority's chief medical adviser.

Munro fell down a flight of stairs at his home and banged his head shortly before boarding the plane at Newmarket racecourse.

“I’ve just moved to a new house and in the morning I fell down the stairs and banged my head,” said Munro.

“I didn’t think anything of it and 20 minutes later I got myself on a plane to Deauville. I don’t know whether it was the change in the air pressure that caused it, but I’ve had a convulsion.

“That’s the story so, basically, now I need to go through the medical scenario to work through this. I'm sorry if I’ve caused any problems to anyone and hopefully it can all be resolved,” he told the Racing Post.

In 1996 Munro admitted to ‘some form of convulsion’ that caused him to fall from his mount during track work at Sha Tin.

In the normal course of events, when a jockey is required to be seen by a specialist, Turner will study the report before deciding if and when he can ride again.