'I don't know how I escaped' - relief for amateur Ben Sutton after Bangor fall

Ben Sutton, the amateur jockey knocked unconscious in a fall at Bangor, has spoken of his relief at leaving hospital just hours later having suffered no serious injuries.

Sutton, champion national novice point-to-point rider in the 2020-21 season, was aboard the Philip Hobbs-trained Kepy Blanc in a handicap chase on Tuesday when the seven-year-old fell at the third fence and was fatally injured.

The rider was attended to by medical staff and BHA stewards deployed a procedure to stop the race, which resulted in it being void after the rest of the runners were pulled up.

Sutton was taken to Wrexham Maelor hospital, where the results of his scans were positive and he was able to leave at approximately 9.30pm with his father Nick, a former rider.

Philip Hobbs: Kepy Blanc's trainerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The 22-year-old, who was speaking from his family's home in Cirencester on Wednesday morning, said: "I jumped off and got to where I wanted to be, mid-div, and the horse didn't really take off or get his feet out for some reason. He was a brilliant jumper, but he hit the fence very low and the next thing I've got paramedics around me and I'm thinking, 'What's happened here?'.

"I was a bit dazed going to Wrexham and you worry about your neck, lower back, hip and pelvis, while my head was very sore as well.

"It wasn't that encouraging, but I was very lucky. The scans were all clear, which is great news. I don't know how I escaped and I'm just badly concussed. I'm resting today and I have just spoken to the BHA's medical adviser Jerry Hill, who has been very helpful setting up the programme for my return."

That will include time at Oaksey House, the rehabilitation centre for jockeys in Lambourn.

Sutton added: "I'll go to Oaksey for an assessment with the physios and then I think some light exercise starts tomorrow. Jerry Hill said it shouldn't be a month – he hoped I could be back on a horse in ten days or so. I can move around slowly and would rather be able to do that than have to lie in bed."

Stan Sheppard: rider visited Sutton in hospitalCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sutton has recently started working for Herefordshire trainer Tom Lacey, whose jockey Stan Sheppard visited the amateur in hospital.

"I want to thank everyone who was there – the medical staff at Wrexham and the course, and the doctor from Bangor, who came with me to hospital," Sutton said.

"They were brilliant, while everyone in racing has rallied round sending me their best wishes. It means a lot and is greatly appreciated. Stan Sheppard came to hospital after racing to check if I was all right and got me a few things, while Connor Brace drove my car back to Tewkesbury, where someone collected it later."

Sutton, who had been due to ride at Chepstow on Wednesday, added: "I'm happy being an amateur for the time being. If anything drastically changes and things go well, you could think about being a conditional. I see myself staying amateur and trying to be a top one, but we'll see."

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