Strolling Home lands Thornton in hospital
Meath jockey Andrew Thornton was one of a number of jockeys injured at Kilbeggan on Friday night where Royal County trainer Michael Cunningham landed the big race, the Midlands National. Thornton was brought to Tullamore hospital following a fall in the fourth race when his mount, Strolling Home, was brought down. The Meath jockey sustained injuries after his mount was brought down by leader Luca Brasi which was partnered by champion jockey Ruby Walsh. However, Thornton was later discharged from the hospital, but Davy Condon and David Casey were detained. The fall ruled Thornton out of action for the weekend and he missed a winner for Slane trainer Pat Martin who won a beginners' chase at Tipperary on Sunday with Collon Allstar (33/1) which was partnered by John Cullen on this occasion. "I was walked on by one of the other fallers and, initially, the first aid people thought that I had broken my hip and my arm as I couldn't move my leg and the arm was very sore," the jockey told the Meath Chronicle as he recovered at home at the weekend. "They brought me to hospital in Tullamore, but I was lucky to escape with bruising and I hope to back in action this week. "It was disappointing to miss the winner for Pat Martin on Sunday, but I suppose it could have been worse," he added. The other injured jockeys at Kilbeggan weren't so lucky. Condon was unseated from the Joanna Morgan-trained Jawad in the featured Midlands National and was taken to hospital along with Casey who suffered a crashing fall from On The Other Hand. Condon sustained a broken ankle and Casey is recovering from shoulder injuries. The feature race went to Piano Star. Jockey Sean Flanagan teamed-up with Cunningham who won the big race with Piano Star (16/1) for the second year in-a-row while Cortown jockey Roger Loughran took third place for trainer Dessie Hughes. Cunningham may now aim Piano Star at the Galway Plate. Castletown trainer Noel Meade also received a timely boost to aid his rehabilitation when Steve Capall (16/1) won a handicap hurdle under Barry Geraghty despite idling in front. Meade was discharged from hospital last week after receiving treatment for his on-going back problem. Popular Navan man Hector O Heochagain is a member of the syndicate which owns Steve Capall. Tony Martin was on the mark at Killarney on Thursday where he won the first race, a novice hurdle, with Pires (5/4|), a 300,000 guineas purchase out of the Mick Channon yard at the 2007 Doncaster Sales. It was a ninth attempt by Pires to win a race since he arrived with the Meath trainer and the Galway Hurdle remains a target. Stamullen trainer and avid Dublin GAA supporter Peter Casey didn't make the trip to Kerry to see Inis Ceithleann win for the second time in two days. Inis Ceithleann won for Barry Geraghty at Downpatrick on Tuesday and the duo scored again at Killarney on Thursday. Casey's charge received a 10-poiund hike for the Downpatrick win, but got away with only a mandatory six-pound penalty for the Killarney race.