Gainford set for six weeks on the sidelines after fracturing wrist at Naas

Jordan Gainford sits second in the riders' championship in Ireland but his remarkable season has been met with a setback after he fractured his wrist in a fall at Naas on Saturday.

The Wexford native, who is based with Gordon Elliott, faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering the injury when parting company with Buttons And Bows in the novices' handicap chase at Naas.

Dr Jennifer Pugh, chief medical officer at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said: "Jordan fractured his wrist in a fall at Naas yesterday and will be out for six weeks."

Injured Flanagan hoping to be back for Christmas

Sean Flanagan expects to be out of action for six weeks, but is confident of making it back in time for the busy Christmas period, after breaking vertebrae in his lower back in a schooling incident on Wednesday.

Noel Meade's stable jockey has already ridden 19 winners over jumps this season and was on the mark at Laytown on Monday when El Padre won the opening sprint handicap.

Flanagan was due to ride Idas Boy in the 2m7f maiden hurdle at Thurles on Thursday and would have been on board Fred Winter winner Jeff Kidder in the Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas on Saturday.

Flanagan said: "I was schooling at Noel's, and I was actually on a very good jumper, but he just tipped up at the last fence we were jumping and I ended up breaking vertebrae in my back.

"I was in a good bit of pain yesterday but it's more frustrating. It's such an exciting time of the year and Noel's horses are running so well."

He added: "Dr [Paddy] Kenny saw me yesterday and said I didn't need to be put in a brace which was good news. The vertebrae is cracked down low in my back and I have to go back to see him again in three weeks. He thinks the recovery period is about six weeks so my aim is to be back flying fit for Christmas."

New hurdles programme for three-year-olds

The BHA has announced a new programme of hurdle races exclusive for three-year-olds to take place between mid-October 2022 to the end of the 2022-23 jumps season.

The Junior National Hunt Development Hurdle races will be open to horses who haven't previously competed in a Flat race, jump race or bumper. A horse will only be able to compete in any of the races from the series four times.

The races will carry the same status as point-to-points and bumpers in that winners will not be excluded from participating in novice hurdle races the following season.

The programme follows consultation between the BHA and the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA), and has been approved by the industry's Racing Group.

Richard Wayman, chief operating officer of the BHA, said: "By adding these races to next year's programme, we'll be able to gain a much better understanding of the impact of providing young jumping horses with the opportunity to start their careers at an earlier stage.

"Such an approach is already well established in France and to some extent as part of a vibrant point-to-point scene in Ireland, and we hope that owners and trainers in Britain will support the introduction of Junior 'National Hunt' Development Hurdle Races and view them as an ideal opportunity for the right sort of jumping horse."

Twilight Payment retired after unsuccessful Melbourne Cup defence

Last year's Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment has been retired following his unsuccessful repeat bid in the Flemington showpiece on Tuesday.

The eight-year-old landed a second win in the race for trainer Joseph O'Brien when making all under Jye McNeil in 2020, but could finish only 11th behind Verry Elleegant on Tuesday. He will spend his retirement at the Living Legends facility in Greenvale, Victoria.

Joint-owner Nick Williams said on Twitter: "On behalf of the owners I would like to thank Joseph O'Brien and all his team, particularly his handler Sean Corby and Mark Power. He has brought so much excitement to our ownership group, families and friends."

As well as winning the Melbourne Cup, Twilight Payment was placed in two Irish St Legers and was a dual winner of the Curragh Cup. He earned just over £3 million in prize-money.

Trainer Edward Bevan dies at 77

Former Herefordshire trainer Edward Bevan died last month at the age of 77.

Bevan, who rode in point-to-points, was involved in racing all his life through training, owning and breeding, with Spring Pursuit, Bold Duke, Bold Cross and My Legal Eagle among his multiple winners.

The funeral will take place at 1.30pm on Friday week at St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Bodenham, Herefordshire, HR1 3JU.

The request is for family flowers only, with donations, if desired, for West Midlands Air Ambulance and the Injured Jockeys Fund to be sent to Jackson Family Funeral Directors, Del Lys, Wells Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 4JL.

Bevan is survived by his wife Janet and children Nick and Clare.

The jumps season is here! Grab your copy of The Big Jump Off, our 72-page guide to the 2021-22 National Hunt season, from the Racing Post shop or from independent newsagents and many Co-Ops now. It contains a wealth of unbeatable content including ante-post tips, guest columnists, divisional analysis and much more. Don't miss out.