Cooper escapes injury after Ascot spill

Bryan Cooper appears to have escaped without any major injuries from a nasty-looking fall at Ascot on Friday, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider anticipating a return to the saddle next week.

Cooper, who was unseated from 5-4 favourite Sizing Tennessee in a beginners' chase, reported on Saturday: "I had an x-ray last night and nothing major showed up."

The jockey, who had his left arm in a sling on-course at Ascot after receiving a knock to his shoulder, added: "I'll get back and have it re-examined with another x-ray on Tuesday but I won't be riding this weekend.

"Hopefully I'll be okay to return in the middle of next week."

Ayr cancelled after heavy rain

Ayr's meeting on Monday has been cancelled due to waterlogging.

The track was inspected on Saturday afternoon, after which clerk of the course Graeme Anderson said: "We've had two and a half inches of rain since last Sunday night. We had 3mm after 7.30am this morning, to add to 7mm last night.

"The forecast is for another 18-20mm by 2pmon Monday so it's not going to improve. We pumped water off the track this morning but the rain's just topping it up."

Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry

Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry featured among ten entries on Saturday for the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Friday.

The Grade 2 contest is due to be a stepping stone to the 32Red King George VI Chase for the returning Thistlecrack, while star staying hurler Unowhatimeanharry has a victory under his belt at Aintree this month.

Big names at preview night

Richard Johnson, Noel Fehily and Nicky Henderson will be among those appearing at a Newbury Winter Carnival charity preview event being staged at Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa on Thursday evening.

The event, which will raise funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund, begins at 6.30pm with tickets costing £15.

Places can be reserved by contacting the hotel on 01635 551199 or via .

Galway redevelopment

Galway racecourse’s €6 million redevelopment project is on target to be completed by June, in time for the racecourse's 2018 summer festival.

The project, for which Horse Racing Ireland’s Racecourse Capital Development Scheme is providing 40 per cent of the cost, involves a new two-storey building that will feature a large open plan betting hall on the ground floor.

Thurles option for Annamix

Annamix, ante-post market leader for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, could make his first start in Ireland this Thursday at Thurles, with the French recruit entered in a 2m maiden hurdle.

The now Willie Mullins-trained and Rich Ricci-owned four-year-old is priced at between 8-1 and 12-1 for the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser.