Danny Cook back on sidelines due to vision problems after horror fall

Warning: this story contains a graphic image of Danny Cook's facial injury

Jump jockey Danny Cook has been forced to suspend his comeback from the horrific injuries he suffered in a fall last month due to problems with his eyesight.

He gave up his booked mounts at Carlisle on Sunday and will consult his specialist in an attempt to cure the issue.

Cook had returned to action last weekend after suffering multiple facial injuries, including a fractured eye socket, and needing 50 stitches when trodden on by a horse in a fall at Market Rasen in October.

He rode 11th-fence faller Definitly Red in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on Saturday but did not go to Carlisle and said: “I’ve been having trouble with my eyesight since I’ve been back riding. I’m going to see the specialist and try to get something sorted.

Danny Cook: suffered a broken nose, fractured eye socket and cheekbone in fall

“It’s from my fall at Market Rasen. It’s been playing me up and it’s never come back fully to where I need it to be. I was hoping it would fix itself but I’ve got to go back to the specialist and see what we can do.

“When I last spoke to him they said there was a chance my eyesight could be worse if they operated, so I’m not too sure what the options are.”

Cook, 37, had been looking forward to the coming weeks and said: “This is the time of year when you want to race as much as you can. All the good horses are out.

“It’s frustrating being off but it’s a necessity because I’m not able to ride to my full capacity with only one eye.”

Cook landed Grade 2 prizes on Moonlight Shadow and Vintage Clouds for Sue Smith last January and rode 39 winners in total in 2019-20 but has won only four races from just 51 rides in his abbreviated campaign this term.

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