Harriet Bethell has successful operation after serious head injury

Harriet Bethell, who was left fighting for her life after suffering serious head injuries in a fall on the gallops, is reported to have come through a successful operation.

Her father William Bethell, who has taken over the training licence at her yard in East Yorkshire, planned to visit her again in hospital after saddling Valkenburg to finish fifth at Pontefract on Sunday.

But before his departure he said: "Harriet had an operation on Friday, having a bit of her skull taken out to ease the pressure. She's comfortable after that and they're slowly reducing the medication; hopefully she'll wake up soon.

"The operation was good and they were happy when we were there yesterday. It's a big worry because you don't know what you're going to have when she wakes up. But we take heart from the likes of Brian Toomey."

Toomey made a remarkable recovery after suffering head injuries from a fall at Perth in 2013.

Bethell, 33, was put in an induced coma after suffering a bleed in the head in the fall this month. Her fate has led to a nationwide outpouring of support and William Bethell said: "The support and messages we have had have been incredible, racing is a very close family.

"We all know it could be any of us. We've all been with horses all our lives and we know they're dangerous, although you never think it's going to happen to you or your close family.

"This was just a freak incident on the quietest horse in the yard; it spooked at something and off she came."

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