Barry Geraghty is recovering in hospital after suffering a partially collapsed lung and a cracked rib following a fall at Kempton this afternoon, but the leading jockey is "hopeful" he will still be able to ride at the Cheltenham Festival in 17 days' time.
Geraghty’s day came to a premature end when Charli Parcs hit the deck after failing to negotiate the second-last flight in the Betbright Genius Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.
Fidux was the first horse to collide with the Meath man, but Bedrock appeared to do most damage when he trod on the 37-year-old.
Geraghty eventually got to his feet and was taken by ambulance to St George's Hospital in south London.
He told At The Races: “Charli Parcs just stepped at the flight and came down. I got a bit of a kicking from Harry Skelton's horse Bedrock, who was coming behind us. I was sore afterwards so I gave up the rest of my rides in the day.
"The prognosis is not too bad. I have a slightly collapsed lung and a cracked rib, and the doctors are hopeful that I will be back in time for the Cheltenham Festival. I'm hopeful too."
Geraghty, who has a host of big mounts to look forward to at Prestbury Park next month, had enjoyed much better fortune in the opening race on the card, winning on the Alan King-trained River Frost in the JP McManus colours.
