Twiston-Davies facing back surgery

Jockey Willy Twiston-Davies, who was injured in a fall from Foxtail Hill at Cheltenham on Tuesday, is set to undergo surgery on Friday.

Twiston-Davies sustained fractures to his T8 and T9 vertebrae and cracks to two ribs in the incident during the novice handicap chase, for which Foxtail Hill was favourite.

He was taken to Gloucester Royal Infirmary and underwent an MRI scan on Wednesday to assess the extent of the damage.

Giving an update on Thursday the rider's father, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, said: "He has to have a four-hour operation tomorrow on his back, which is not what you'd want."

Help with missing person

Racegoers at Cheltenham have been asked to keep a look out for Simon Baker, a vulnerable person who has been missing from his home in Bristol since 2009 but who police believe may be attending the festival.

Baker was 33 at the time of his disappearance and details of the appeal can be found at http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/simon-baker-09-003368