29 January 2024 , 17:45
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ITV Racing pundit Mick Fitzgeald needed medical treatment for a nasty head injury at the races on Monday.
The ex-jockey, who won the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup during a highly successful career in the saddle, was working as a presenter at Hereford for Sky Sports Racing.
He was in the parade ring before the third race on the card, a handicap chase, when he stepped in to help a trainer with her runner, Ardmoyle, when the incident happened.
It was picked up by the Sky cameras and described by studio presenter Alex Hammond who said: "If you're squeamish, look away, look away, because that is what happened.
"The horse's teeth have just caught the top of Mick's head. Thankfully the paramedic was there to check that all was okay. But yes Mick, teeth in the forehead. That's ruined your good looks!"
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Fitzgerald was able to carry on and complete the day’s coverage from Hereford and said the incident was worse than it looked.
He explained: “Ali Stronge was there and the horse was just being a little awkward. She was trying to leg Ben Jones up and the horse was charging forward. I said, ‘Would you like me to give him a leg up?’ and she said, ‘Yes, please’.
“I went to give him a leg up, the horse did something funny and he ended up spinning round and then just clocked me in the head with its teeth. All it is is just a graze. It was one of those things.
“They got a medic to clean uo the wound with a swab and that was it. It was all superficial. I’ve had worse. The horse didn't mean to do it. He lost his footing. It was unlucky.”