Jockey to miss Christmas programme after fracturing fibula

Jonathan Burke has described missing the busy Christmas period as a "massive blow" after suffering a fractured fibula at Fairyhouse on Sunday that could keep him out of action for up to six weeks.

Burke, who recently ended his role as retained rider to Alan and Ann Potts, has endured a nightmare 2016. He suffered two compressed vertebrae fractures in a fall at Thurles in January and fractured his vertebrae again in an incident at his father's [Liam] gallops in April.

It was his departure from All The Answers at the third-last in the Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle that has left him with his latest injury.

"I fractured a lower fibula. In the grand scheme of things it is a small job. It is a clean break and nothing complicated," Burke said.

"I will be out for four to six weeks. I have been fitted with a cast for two weeks and I am due to visit Dr Paddy Kenny again on December 20.

"He'll put on a boot and at least then I'll be a bit more comfortable. I actually had to get six stitches above my eye as well and it wasn't until about an hour after the fall that my ankle began to flare up."

On missing the Christmas action at Leopardstown, Limerick and Down Royal, Burke said: "It is a massive blow. I am gutted. I have been getting lots of different rides for different people and everyone had been so good to me since I became freelance again. But, those are the cards I have been dealt and I am only young so I have to look on the bright side."