Apprentice rider aims to return in three months after fall

Apprentice Patrick O’Donnell has taken his first steps to recovery after shattering his pelvis in two places in an accident on Ralph Beckett’s gallops last month.

O’Donnell, 20, has started physio and swimming to regain fitness following the fall, in which a young filly landed on top of the promising jockey, who was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.

O’Donnell, who had surgery on his intestines and pelvis, said yesterday: "I’m much better than I was and starting to get out of the woods now. I had my check up with the doctor last Thursday for the first time since I was discharged and thankfully he gave me the all-clear to get out of the wheelchair.