Thornton 'stable' after Leicester fall

Robert Thornton is in a “stable” condition after suffering a terrible fall at Leicester today.

The jockey was riding Cracboumwiz for his boss, Alan King, in the Dick Christian Novices’ Chase when he sustained a suspected back injury.

Cracboumwiz appeared to be getting the better of 2-5 market leader The Polomoche, but Thornton came down in dramatic fashion at the third-last fence.

Thornton initially tried to get to his feet, but was taken into an ambulance on a stretcher before being shipped to Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital.

He will remain in hospital overnight for further observation.

A hospital spokesperson said: “At the moment he is in our emergency department and is stable and awaiting X-Rays.”

Meally Thornton, the jockey’s wife, is hopeful her husband’s injuries are not too severe.

She said on Tuesday evening: “I’m heading there (Leicester Royal Infirmary) now and they are waiting for the X-Ray results.

“He’s going to be kept in hospital overnight but I don’t think it’s really serious.

“Andrew Tinkler (fellow jockey) has been in to see him and he (Thornton) is strapped onto a back-board.

“I think it’s a back injury, but the people at the hospital have been unable to tell me anything.”

Leicester clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said of the incident: “He (Thornton) was put on a spinal board before being put in the ambulance and all the doctor told me was that it was a suspected back injury.

“He’ll have all the tests done at the hospital and he’s in good hands.”