Noel Fehily out for up to eight weeks after suffering neck injury at Punchestown

Noel Fehily could be out of action for up to eight weeks after damaging his neck in a fall at Punchestown on Friday.

The rider, who landed a Grade 1 novice hurdle aboard Draconien on the opening day of the festival on Tuesday, suffered the fall from the Oliver Sherwood-trained Got Away in the 2m5f handicap chase won by Magic Of Light.

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer at the IHRB, said on Saturday: "Noel suffered a stable fracture to his C7 and he will be out of action for six to eight weeks."

On Brian Hayes, who was injured when his mount Ask Nile came down in Friday's novice handicap chase won by Kemboy, McGoldrick added: "Brian has bilateral pneumothoraces and has chest drains in both lungs.

"He is in a stable condition at Naas General Hospital and he is expected to come out of hospital within the next four to five days."

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