Mulrennan hoping to return from triple fracture of spine in next three weeks

Paul Mulrennan expects to know more about when he can return to the saddle after seeing his specialist next week, but he said on Monday that he was feeling good – if still a little sore – four weeks on from the fall that left him with a triple fracture in his back.

The incident, which happened on Michael Dods' gallops when a horse he was riding planted, left Mulrennan with fractures in his L2, L3 and L4 – in the lower lumbar area – but he did not require surgery.

He said: "It's been four weeks and I'm on the mend. I'm hoping to be back in another three weeks, something like that. I don't really know a timescale to be honest but I've been doing plenty of exercise and physio, doing whatever I can, but I haven't sat on a horse yet.

"I'm in Ireland at the moment with my daughter and I'm seeing the specialist next week. I'm still a little bit sore but it's only been four weeks."

Another Bath meeting moved

Bath has had a fourth fixture transferred to a sister Arena Racing Company track with the warm summer showing little sign of abating.

While there has been some rain around of late, it has not arrived in sufficient quantities to enable Bath, which has no watering system, to resume racing.

Fixtures have so far been moved to Wolverhampton and Chepstow, and Brighton will host its meeting a week on Wednesday.

The 1m6f handicap that was the qualifier for the Bath Stayers Series will now be run over two miles and two furlongs at Chepstow a week on Thursday, rather than at the Brighton fixture due to the lack of an appropriate start there.

Magniers and O'Brien honoured

The Magnier family and Aidan O'Brien will on Tuesday receive the 2018 Longines and International Federation of Horseracing Authorities International Award of Merit at the launch of the 2018 Longines Irish Champions Weekend in Dublin.

The driving forces behind last year's record-breaking Coolmore and Ballydoyle operations will be honoured for their outstanding contribution to the world of horseracing.

Aidan O'Brien: set a new world record for Group 1 victories in 2017Credit: Alan Crowhurst

On behalf of the family, Michael Magnier said: "We are most grateful to Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities for this recognition, and while the award may have the Magnier name on it we know that we are part of a much larger family which includes our partners, the Smiths and the Tabors, along with all the O’Briens at Ballydoyle. A big thanks to all."

O’Brien added: "Our thanks to the Magnier family, the Smiths and the Tabors for helping to make Ballydoyle what it is today. We are privileged to be associated with such wonderful people who leave no stone unturned as we try to get the best out of every horse. We really appreciate the tremendous and unfailing support of all the team at Ballydoyle, whose commitment is second to none. I would like to thank them all."

The award, which began in 2013 and has been won by the likes of Yutaka Take, the Romanet family, Jim Bolger, Alec Head, Seth Hancock, and the late Marcel Zarour Atanacio, was given to this year's winners for their all-conquering 28 Group or Grade 1 successes in 2017.

Racecourses fined

Thirsk, Towcester and Ayr have all been fined £3,500 by the BHA after failing to meet required levels of hygiene in racecourse stables. The incident at Towcester dated from May 6, while similar occurrences came to light at Thirsk on May 12 and Ayr on June 4.

Hungerford forfeits