Power set to miss Galway after failing concussion test

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Robbie Power will miss next week's Galway festival after failing a concussion test, so the plum ride on Sandymount Duke in thetote.com Galway Plate is up for grabs.

Power has been out of action since July 16 after suffering a nasty spill from Jacob's Well in a maiden hurdle at Sligo. He was confident of returning for Galway and had been booked to partner A Sizing Network at Wexford on Friday evening, but Dr Adrian McGoldrick put paid to that idea when phoning him with the bad news on Thursday evening.

"I've failed my concussion test and I won't be allowed to ride at Galway," said Power. "I was confident I would pass the test, hence I was down to ride at Wexford on Friday night, but Adrian rang me and told me I had failed. I was absolutely gutted.

"I cannot sit the concussion test again until the week after Galway. It's bitterly disappointing and I was really looking forward to riding Sandymount Duke in the Plate. It just goes to show the ups and down you can experience as a jockey."

Power enjoyed a fairytale first half of 2017 after striking up a partnership with owners Alan and Ann Potts. As well as winning the Gold Cup on Sizing John, he also landed the Irish Grand National on Our Duke.