O'Connor 'critical but stable'

Racing: Colm Murphy’s stable jockey Matt O’Connor remains in a serious condition at Cork University Hospital after a bad fall…

Racing:Colm Murphy's stable jockey Matt O'Connor remains in a serious condition at Cork University Hospital after a bad fall at Thurles yesterday.

O’Connor was knocked unconscious after his mount Walkin Aisy fell at the fifth-last fence of the Templemore Beginners Chase.

He was taken to Clonmel Hospital immediately after the incident, but was transferred to Cork University Hospital on Thursday evening.

A spokeswoman at the hospital said: “He is in a critical but stable condition.”

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O’Connor has ridden 31 winners this season including a Grade One success on Big Zeb in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, chief medical officer of the Turf Club, added: “He went into intensive care in Cork at around 8.30am this morning and he had a very good night.

“He’s stable and the fact that he had a good night is certainly very positive.

“He was unconscious immediately after he had the fall and he had a brain scan that showed there were no major haemorrhages in the brain so he doesn’t require surgery, although obviously there is some bruising.

“He’s in a medically induced coma, really to keep the brain rested. It’s still early days.”