Cheltenham Festival: Injured jockey JT McNamara in hospital with 'serious neck injury'
JT McNamara will undergo surgery today after sustaining a serious neck injury in a fall at Cheltenham on Thursday.
The 37-year-old was injured in a first-fence fall from Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.
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JT McNamara on Galaxy Rock (second from right in yellow and red)
McNamara, one of the leading amateurs on the circuit for a number of years, was airlifted to hospital after being treated by the on-course medics.
Conscious following the fall according to officials at the track, he was put in an induced coma before his transfer to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.
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Dr Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer of the Irish Turf Club, said JT McNamara will undergo surgery today.
"There will be no further news until tomorrow and we will keep everyone updated," he said.
"His wife Caroline is with him."
Earlier, McGoldrick said McNamara had fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae.
Meanwhile, veteran racing pundit John McCririck will have to watch today's Cheltenham Gold Cup race on television after being released from hospital.
McCririck, 72, known for his distinctive sideburns and deerstalker hat, is convalescing at home after being detained in Cheltenham General Hospital.
He complained of feeling unwell during the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
The former Channel 4 pundit had said earlier this week that he planned on returning to Prestbury Park to watch the highlight of the four-day National Hunt festival.
But after being released from hospital he has returned home to recover.
Mr McCririck's agent Patsy Martin said today: "John is resting today.
"He is not going racing today and the next race meeting he will be attending will be Doncaster on Saturday week."
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