Jockey Paul Hanagan facing spell on sidelines after Newcastle fall

Paul Hanagan suffered a fracture to his T6 vertebra in a fall at Newcastle on Saturday night and is likely to be on the sidelines for some time.

Hanagan was riding Requinto Dawn for Richard Fahey in a 6f handicap when the five-year-old clipped heels approaching the furlong marker and he took a heavy fall.

The former two-time champion jockey is awaiting news on how his injury might best be treated, but is keen to be back in the saddle as soon as possible.

Hanagan, who has nothing but praise for the medical staff at the track and at the nearby Royal Victoria Infirmary, said: "I've fractured my T6 and I'm in quite a lot of pain. I've just got to wait and see what the specialist says in the morning before I know whether they're going to operate or put me in a cast or a brace or something.

Paul Hanagan: unknown return dateCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"I'm not sure how long I'll be kept in, but I just want them to do whatever is going to get me back in action quickest."

Hanagan remembers the incident vividly and he saw a replay before he was taken to hospital. He said: "It was a funny one and I think I was really unlucky to catch heels like that. I wasn't really that tight and I've certainly been in tighter gaps.

"Unfortunately those all-weather surfaces aren't very forgiving. There's no bounce and you don't slide, so your body takes the full impact.

"I must say though, that the medical team at the racecourse and the RVI, which is only five minutes from the track, were absolutely brilliant. I was very well looked after."

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