Leading amateur Gina Andrews set to leave hospital after Cheltenham fall

Cheltenham Festival winner Gina Andrews won her fifth championship last season

Gina Andrews: was due to be discharged from hospital on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Gina Andrews was due to return home from hospital on Saturday after sustaining a fractured cheekbone and eye socket in a fall at Cheltenham on Friday.

The multiple point-to-point champion was taken to Royal Gloucester Hospital after being kicked in the face following a last-flight fall on the Pam Sly-trained Haafapiece, who was narrowly in front in the 2m1f handicap hurdle. Her sister Bridget had wanted to accompany Andrews to hospital, but was prevented from doing so due to current Covid-19 restrictions.

Speaking on Saturday at Doncaster, where she had two rides, Bridget Andrews said: "She's fractured an eye socket and cheekbone, but she's going to be all right.

"She's going to be on her way home today and she'll be back in hospital in the week for a check up on the cheekbone to see if she needs an operation."

Haafapiece, an 18-1 outsider, was just in the lead and holding every chance when coming down heavily. Andrews was sent crashing to the turf and was kicked by Nordic Combined, who was almost brought down.

Although Haafapiece galloped away unscathed, Andrews remained behind green screens for some time before being taken away from the scene of the accident.

A tweet posted on Friday night from the Twitter account the amateur rider shares with husband Tom Ellis read: "Thanks to everyone for their well wishes for Gina today after her horrible fall at Cheltenham, she is okay but is staying in hospital tonight.

"Massive thank you to all the staff and medics at @CheltenhamRaces and @NHSuk for looking after her #getwellsoon."

Domesday Book and Gina Andrews head for victory in last year's Kim Muir. He went unbacked by Colin Howell, but that turned out to be the least of his worries

Domesday Book and Gina Andrews head for victory in the 2017 Kim Muir at CheltenhamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Andrews enjoyed one of her best victories at Cheltenham when winning the 2017 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on Domesday Book.

The spell on the sidelines is particularly untimely as she had been in fine form after recording a double for Sly at Wetherby this month.

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Andrew DietzReporter

Published on 12 December 2020inNews

Last updated 17:56, 12 December 2020

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