Fanning to endure spell on sidelines

Joe Fanning could be out of action for a week after hurting muscles in his back following a dramatic three-horse spill in the totesport Mile at Goodwood on Friday.

After being thrown from the Mark Johnston-trained Drumfire, Fanning was taken to Chichester Hospital for precautionary X-rays.

While he escaped without any broken bones, the fall left him stiff and sore and requiring a course of physio treatment.

Fanning’s agent Paul Grundy said: “When I spoke to him last night he had hurt some muscles in his back.

“He is supposed to be having some physio on the area today and hopefully he’ll be back in action in a few days to a week.

“He had X-rays in hospital but there was nothing broken so it really just depends on how he responds to the phsyio treatment as to when he returns.”

Ted Durcan and Darryll Holland were the other unfortunate jockeys to hit the turf in the valuable handicap.

The first-named takes the reins on Light Shift in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes, and despite hurting his ankle, he will not miss any time in the saddle.

Holland, however, has been forced to give up his rides on Saturday due to a swollen thumb.

Laura Way, agent for the pair, said: “Ted’s fine really and he’s going to ride today. Unfortunately Darryll is not and won’t be riding today. He hasn’t broken his thumb but it was quite swollen last night.

“I haven’t spoken to him this morning so I’m not sure if he’ll be able to ride on Sunday but hopefully it shouldn’t keep him out for long.

“It was a horrible incident and they were both quite lucky considering what happened.”