RACING: The champion jumps jockey Barry Geraghty faces up to four weeks on the sidelines after X-rays revealed he fractured a neck vertebrae in a fall at Punchestown on Saturday.
Geraghty was initially taken to Naas hospital but was transferred to Blanchardstown after falling from Man About Town at the first obstacle in the first race.
"It was a horrible fall and he was lucky," said the Turf Club medical officer Dr Walter Halley yesterday. "He briefly lost consciousness which meant an automatic seven days but he was also kicked in the back of the head and X-rays showed a fracture of the fourth cervical vertebrae. He's in a collar and it looks a three- or four-week job."
However, Geraghty, who won the big race at Gowran on Friday on Kicking King, was hopeful yesterday he will be able to return sooner rather than later. "I heal quickly and I hope it won't be too long," he said.
A Horse Racing Ireland investigation into the betting activities of John White, the outgoing Tote Ireland general manager, is taking place after weekend media reports that White had been using a Tote account in the name of a family member.
A report outlining bets made by White, who is due to leave his post on December 31st, was published on Saturday in The Village, a new weekly magazine.
In a statement, White said: "I have used a family member's Tote account to place a number of bets, as I'm a passionate follower of horseracing and have enjoyed a social bet all my life. I am completely satisfied that in no way did the integrity of the Tote suffer - in fact the account was a substantial losing one. I take full responsibility for my indiscretion and apologise for any embarrassment I may have caused."
There was no news yesterday on whether White, who announced his resignation 10 days ago, will now have to leave his post before the intended date.
Cloone River's defection from the Grade Three Novice Chase at this afternoon's rescheduled Roscommon card robs the race of some interest but it does look to make Kahuna's task easier on his chasing debut.
Mick Fitzgerald is an eye-catching booking for the ex-Francois Doumen-trained Royal Paradise who has his first start for Tom Foley in the novice hurdle. The Triumph Hurdle faller Wild Passion looks the benchmark in this race but Royal Paradise looked a horse of real promise when fourth to Total Enjoyment in the Cheltenham bumper.
