Harry Cobden out for six weeks after suffering cheekbone fractures

Harry Cobden has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering cheekbone fractures following a heavy fall at Aintree.

The jockey was taken to Aintree Hospital after Lucky One came down at the fourth-last in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle on Saturday and missed out on the ride on Give Me A Copper in the Grand National.

Cobden, who rode a Grade 1 double aboard Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux last Thursday, had hoped to return within a couple of days.

In a statement on Twitter, Cobden said: "I went for further scans today and unfortunately they showed I've got a couple of fractures in my right cheekbone. I'm having an operation on Thursday but I'm out for the rest of the season, likely for the next six weeks.

"Good luck to Brian [Hughes] and Harry [Skelton] in the jockeys' championship. I look forward to challenging you both again next season and I hope we can welcome people back to courses then."

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