Racing

JT McNamara has not suffered a brain injury but his vertebral damage remains serious

Jockey underwent surgery last week

Jockey JT McNamara who remains in a serious condition in hospital after falling at Cheltenham last week.
Jockey JT McNamara who remains in a serious condition in hospital after falling at Cheltenham last week.
Thu Mar 21 2013 - 18:17

JT McNamara remains in a stable condition following the serious neck injury he sustained at Cheltenham a week ago.

An update revealed the leading Irish amateur has not suffered a brain injury, but his vertebral damage remains serious.

The 37-year-old was injured in a first fence fall from Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup and airlifted to hospital after being treated by the on-course medics.

Conscious following the fall according to officials at the track, the leading amateur rider was put in an induced coma before his transfer to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

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McNamara underwent surgery on his fractured C3 and C4 vertebrae last Friday.

A statement issued jointly by Irish Turf Club senior medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick, and Lisa Hancock, chief executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund on behalf of the McNamara Family, read: "JT McNamara remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.

Remains serious
"He is in a stable condition and his level of sedation is being reduced. Whilst his vertebral damage remains serious, he has not suffered a brain injury.

“His wife Caroline and family very much appreciate all the messages, cards and letters that have been received.

“There will be no further update this week.”

Meanwhile, Tarla enjoyed the ideal confidence-booster in the www.racinghomeforeaster.com Hurdle at Cork yesterday. Willie Mullins’ mare is already a Graded winner over hurdles and fences but had been given a break since suffering heavy falls late on in her two most recent outings, at this course and again at Thurles.

David Casey allowed Tarla to stride on in front and after she had burned off last year’s winner Oilily, the Galway Hurdle hero Rebel Fitz emerged as a serious danger.

Michael Winters’ 4/5 favourite was Davy Russell’s first ride back since puncturing his lung just a week ago at Cheltenham, but was perhaps a little rusty himself on a first outing since October and could not keep up with Tarla (13/8).

There was some pretty ragged hurdling over the final three flights in the CIT SU Handicap Hurdle.

That'll have mattered little to connections of 16/1 shot, Rafi De Triana, as he scored by four and three parts of a length in the hands of Kevin Sexton. Rafi De Triana headed the pace setter Do The Bookies (clear for much of the journey) at the third last.