12 April 2024 , 13:07
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The jockey who took a heavy fall on the Grand National course on Thursday has been released from hospital - after initial fears he had suffered a much more serious injury.
Amateur Ben Sutton was riding 66-1 chance Drop Flight in the Randox Foxhunters, the first race over the unique National fences of the 2024 Aintree meeting.
Sutton had ridden the family-owned nine-year-old in every start since he arrived from France, winning a hunter chase at Exeter in March this year.
Drop Flight was pulled up after getting well behind in the 2023 Foxhunters but fared less well this time. The gelding was positioned in the middle of the field of 22 when he came down at the fearsome fence known as The Chair, the biggest obstacle on the course. The Big Lense, ridden by Alex Chadwick, took a heavy fall at the same fence.
ITV Racing reported that the green screens had gone up, often a sign that a horse has been injured. But presenter Ed Chamberlin reassured viewers that all horses were safe and the screen had gone up around a jockey for privacy reasons.
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Sutton, a 24-year-old from Warwickshire who has ridden 15 winners under rules, was taken on a stretcher into an ambulance and transported to hospital.
"They put the screens up because they thought I had broken my neck," Sutton explained. "I felt pain there and they suspected the worst but when I went to hospital I had no concussion but had broken my elbow. At the time it was very scary."
Ben Sutton is flung to the ground after Drop Flight comes down at The Chair (PA)Sutton had been in the hunt for the amateur jump jockeys' championship, one win behind Chadwick who was unhurt, but he is unlikely to ride again before the season ends in May.
"We both fell at the same fence but I came off worse," Sutton added. "I have to see a specialist on Tuesday when there will be a decision made as to whether I will need an operation. I think it's unlikely I'll be back for the end of the season."
Posting the picture on X - formerly Twitter - jockey coach Dave Crosse said: “Ben Sutton unfortunately broke his elbow today at Aintree but nothing more than that.
“Great work from all the docs at Aintree Races and hospital and the Injured Jockeys Fund . Lives to fight another day.”