Jockey takes 'spectacular' action by clinging on to reins of rival to avoid heavy fall

A jockey in France took unprecedented action to avoid a heavy fall after being unseated mid-air in a chase at Auteuil on Saturday.

Kevin Nabet was dramatically thrown up in the air from the 6-5 favourite Lord Brett after a rival horse appeared to bump him from behind jumping a fence midway through the Prix Djarvis.

Nabet quite remarkably managed to land on top of Lord Brett as he completed the fence, but the rider was unable to get his right leg across the horse and slowly began to slip towards the floor.

After a brief battle with gravity he was ejected again this time to his left, and thrown towards L'Amazone, the horse responsible for the initial bump, although he was still able to keep his right hand on the rein of Lord Brett.

Nabet then slipped to the floor but kept his right hand on the rein of Lord Brett and used his left to grip on to the rein of L'Amazone. Being held up by the two runners, he was suddenly dragged across the ground while stood up, for around four seconds approaching the bend.

He let go and fell to the floor but his actions meant he avoided any serious injury, while L'Amazone went on to finish fourth of the five finishers.

Commentator Darren Owen said on Sky Sports Racing: "Look at Lord Brett's jockey there, hanging on for dear life to L'Amazone and her jockey. Spectacular stuff."

The incident happened at France's biggest jumps meeting, with the French Champion Hurdle the focus on Saturday and the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris on Sunday.

Nabet has a ride in the French Gold Cup aboard Hasard De Brion while Lord Brett's trainer Francois Nicolle has a runner in the race in Diamond Carl.

How the incident unfolded

Jockey Kevin Nabet is launched into the air after his mount Lord Brett hit the fence hardCredit: At The Races

After unseating from his mount, Kevin Nabet grabs hold of another horse's reins while also holding on to hisCredit: At The Races

Jockey Kevin Nabet is remarkably stood vertically holding on to both horsesCredit: At The Races

Jockey Kevin Nabet is pulled along in between the two mountsCredit: At The Races

Finally momentum takes its course and Kevin Nabet is sent to the ground, but thankfully was none the worse for the incidentCredit: At The Races

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