Sweeney sidelined after broken leg

Jockey Nathan Sweeney faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg in a fall at Newton Abbot yesterday.

The talented conditional rider was unseated from the Bob Buckler-trained Ethiopia in the feature Newtonabbotrace On Twitter Handicap Chase and has spent the night in Torbay Hospital.

Buckler said: “He had a crack in his tibia, which wasn’t displaced. They’ve plated it and kept him in overnight.

“He’s going to see the specialist again this morning and then they’ll decide where they go from there.

“It’s obviously going to mean a long time out from riding, which is a shame, as he was flying.

“Unfortunately these things happen, but at least it’s nothing more serious.”