Sean Houlihan recovering well in hospital following Sussex National fall

Sean Houlihan is looking forward to "grafting away" at the Injured Jockey Fund's Oaksey House rehabilitation centre after a successful back operation following a nasty fall from Imperial Presence in the Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton on Monday.

The jockey was taken by ambulance to Royal Sussex County Hospital, where he remains after an operation to stabilise his T6 vertebra. He suffered two more broken vertebrae and a broken rib on his right side.

Imperial Presence was towards the rear of the field when he fell at the opening flight of the 2m3½f feature but was quickly up on his feet.

"I'm still in hospital and sat up for the first time today," said Houlihan. "That was nice. Hopefully I'll soon be able to walk around. The doctors were pleased with the operation and I'll have an x-ray tomorrow.

Sean Houlihan rides Regal Flow to victory in the 2018 Midlands NationalCredit: Grossick Racing

"It's still early days and it will be a long road to recovery but I'm looking forward to getting into Oaksey House in Lambourn and grafting away as soon as possible. For now, I'm taking each day as it comes."

Houlihan, a conditional jockey for Philip Hobbs, has ridden 15 winners this season. His biggest success came in March 2018, when he landed the Midlands National aboard Regal Flow for trainer Bob Buckler.

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