Alner 'comfortable' after op

Robert Alner is reported to be "comfortable" after undergoing surgery on the injuries he sustained in a car crash.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer broke a bone in his neck after his Peugeot 406 collided with a telegraph pole near Sturminster Newton in Dorset on Thursday morning.

Alner was trapped in the car and had to be cut free by firefighters before he was taken to Yeovil General Hospital.

He was later airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, where he had a lengthy operation on Friday afternoon.

“He had a comfortable night in intensive care and his operation went well,” said jockey Andrew Thornton, who has long been associated with Alner’s Droop-based team.

“I think he was heavily sedated following his surgery, but Sally (Alner, wife) is going to see him later today and we will know more then. He’s been very positive throughout but it is too early to say what the prognosis will be.”