RACING/News: Fears that Tony McCoy would have to endure a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a nasty incident at Folkestone yesterday have proved to be unfounded.
It was thought the champion jockey had broken his thumb after being thrown from Flying Patriarch at the start of the Daily Mail Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, but X-rays have revealed just a dislocation.
McCoy was adjusting his reins when the Gary Moore-trained gelding spooked as another horse went past, causing the jockey to come out of the saddle. He caught his thumb in the reins.
Early reports from the course stated he had broken the thumb, but X-rays taken at the Ridgeway Hospital, Swindon, showed a different picture.
"He has dislocated the tip of his thumb and there is no fracture, which is good news," said McCoy's personal assistant Gee Armytage.
"Ian Lowden, who is a hand specialist, is putting the dislocation back into place at the Ridgeway tonight. Tony will then be going home.
"Apparently this same thing happens to rugby players and it is normally put back into place there and then. Because it wasn't put back at the racecourse, it will have to be done this evening.
"Mr Lowden hopes the injury won't keep him out for too long - and Tony did say that he was keen to get back on the horse and ride in the race. He is a very tough man and will be doing all he can to get ready for the Hennessy meeting (at Newbury on November 27th). There is no question of him being out for six weeks.
"The part of the thumb that is injured is in a much more favourable place for an injury than near the wrist, which again is good news.
"Although it is hugely frustrating, things are in his favour and given how tough he is, he no doubt won't be off very long."
Brighton-based trainer Moore said: "Another horse flashed past Flying Patriarch and upset him. It was one of those accidents that can happen."
The injury capped a miserable day for McCoy, who had earlier learned he had been passed over in favour of Timmy Murphy for the ride on Best Mate in the William Hill Chase at Exeter on Friday.
McCoy rode the triple-Gold Cup winner to victory in the 2002 King George VI Chase when deputising for usual rider Jim Culloty, who is also sidelined at the moment with a thumb injury.
McCoy's chief rival for the jockeys' title, Richard Johnson, who currently trails him by 39 winners, is also out of action at the moment with a pelvic problem.
A horse reared up and crashed on top of him in the paddock at Haydock over a week ago.
McCoy has been relatively injury-free since February, when he was off for just over a week with a fractured cheekbone and returned to ride with the aid of a face mask.
