De Souza injury blow

Nelson de Souza faces around six weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury while riding out.

The Brazilian, a leading apprentice last year, was unshipped from Bentong at Paul Cole’s Whatcombe base.

Cole explained: “Nelson’s horse spooked when another horse wdhipped round.

“He landed on his knee and split an artery. A fracture was diagnosed and he’ll be out for six weeks.”