Thornton breaks arm in Hereford fall

Robert Thornton is set to be sidelined over the busy Christmas period after breaking his arm in a fall at Hereford.

The rider parted company with the Richard Lee-trained Western Whisky at the seventh fence in the totetrifecta Handicap Chase, bringing down Maraafeq in the process.

While Maraafeq’s rider Harry Challoner escaped unscathed, Thornton was found to have broken his arm in the fall.

Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen said: “He’s been diagnosed with a broken upper arm by the racecourse doctor and has been taken to Hereford County Hospital.”