Wayne Hutchinson is set to come in for some big rides over the Christmas period after Robert Thornton suffered a broken collarbone in a fall at Exeter.
The rider came to grief at the third flight of the opening Jingle Bells Novices' Hurdle aboard Itsa Legend.
Thornton, number one rider to Alan King, is the regular partner of Coral Welsh National favourite Halcon Genelardais, although he would probably have missed that ride anyway in favour of Voy Por Ustedes at Kempton the same day.
King confirmed the news last night after the rider had travelled to see specialist Dr Michael Foy.
'I feel desperately sorry for him. I suppose Wayne Hutchinson will ride the majority of them now, but I haven't had the chance to sort it out,' he said.
