Josh Moore shoulder injury not so serious as feared

Josh Moore was less seriously injured than first feared in the Sandown fall in which stable favourite Ar Mad sadly suffered a fatal injury.

Moore, who has been plagued by injury, especially in the shoulder region, confirmed: "It could have been worse, and at least this time no operation will be needed.

"I've dislocated my AC joint and I've fractured a bone in my shoulder and so we are probably talking six to eight weeks off, although there's no hurry and I'm busy enough at home."

The acromioclavicular joint (or AC joint) is the joint at the top of your shoulder between your clavicle, or collarbone, and your scapula, or shoulder blade.

"It's my right shoulder this time, but they have both been equally troublesome. I'd say it's probably 3-3 in terms of left shoulder injuries and right shoulder injuries."

Ar Mad was viewed by trainer Gary Moore and the rest of the family as a possible successor to stable star Sire De Grugy, the stable's Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, and he wasleading Altior and company at a good pace when he fell heavilyat the first of Sandown's railway fences, six from home, in the Bet365 Celebration Chase.

Moore's injury was immediately apparent, and although brother Jamie went on to win the Bet365 Gold Cup on Step Back it was a sad day for all involved.

That's more like it

The 2m novice handicap chase at Huntingdon next Thursday which initially attracted a paltry entry of only three now boasts a more than respectable 11 possibles after being reopened. They are headed by the 135-rated Don Bersy.

The poor initial entry sat incongruously in a card which had otherwise been very well supported, with 37 entries each in the novice handicap hurdle and the maiden hurdle, 38 in the open handicap hurdle, 36 in the bumper and 24 in the 3m novice handicap chase.

Kennedy gets new agent

Jack Kennedy, Irish jump racing's rising star who rode four winners at the Cheltenham Festival in March, has appointed Kevin O'Ryan as his agent.

The 19-year-old, who was runner-up in the Irish jockeys championship in 2016-2017 and joint third last season, joins champion jockey Davy Russell on O'Ryan's books.

"I'm delighted to be working for Jack and I'm looking forward to doing my best for him, "O'Ryan said.