[Machiavellian]

At Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat yard this morning.

[Andy]

You just beat me to it Mac.

They don't normally airlift people to hospital unless access to the patient is difficult and/or the injury is very serious.  Let's hope he's ok.

[Binge]

Fingers crossed for him

[Chewster]

Oh dear, that sounds quite serious.

I hope he's alright - what horrible timing too.

[Andy]

Fortunately it doesn't look too bad:

Sam Thomas was this morning airlifted to hospital after suffering a bad fall on the gallops at Paul Nicholls' yard.

Thomas is reported to have escaped serious injury, but is still doubtful to appear at next week's Cheltenham Festival.

The Gold Cup-winning jockey sustained back and neck injuries and was taken to Royal United Hospital in Bath following a schooling accident at first lot.

Trainer Tom George, for whom Thomas is stable jockey, told Press Association Sport: "He had a bad fall schooling at Paul Nicholls' yard this morning and was airlifted to hospital.

"I've spoken to his girlfriend, who has been allowed to talk to him.

"Initial X-rays have shown that there are no broken bones.

"He's very stiff and sore but we are very hopeful there is no serious damage.

"The next 24 hours will tell us more."

A spokesperson for Nicholls' yard added: "He was down schooling first lot this morning when he had a fall.

"He was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath."

[FallonFacta]

Thanks for posting that Andy - The RP makes it seem a lot worse

Best wishes to him

[theGoingStick]

Tom George was saying he has been a bit unlucky with injuries and bans since he became his stable jockey missing out on some of the bigger rides, hope he gets well soon.

[Rowan]

[apg1971]

According to Attheraces he is not going to be at Cheltenham next week due to a cracked vertebrae   .

Although he did not have any real stand out rides, he had some good one's and he must be gutted.  Just hope he can have a speedy recovery and be back in the saddle asap.

[suejoe]

This was on our local news earlier.

The reporters thought it most amusing that he was in a 'stable' condition  

Poor Sam......get well soon

Sue

[theGoingStick]

He was schooling Woolcombe Folly when he fell, not a good omen for his chances in the Arkle. Ruby must be on one of Mullins chasers then.

[Warrsan]

Real shame for the guy hope hes back for aintee and wins gig time.

[lochsong]

[FallonFacta]

Thomas ruled out after fall

Sam Thomas will miss Cheltenham after a fall yesterday

By Niall Cronin
Friday March 12 2010

Injuries are part and parcel of a jockey's life, but some -- no matter how lengthy the absence -- can end up being more detrimental than others.

That's all down to timing of course and Sam Thomas is now set to endure one of the toughest things a jockey can ever do and that is watch the Cheltenham Festival from his living room while on the sidelines.

While overlooked for the prime position on Denman in the Gold Cup, Thomas took that blow in his stride and was looking forward to the spare aboard Tricky Trickster while Tell Massini was set to be a good ride in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle for his boss Tom George.

However, while schooling alongside Tony McCoy at Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat base yesterday morning, Thomas took a bad fall and will now miss next week's action after breaking vertebrae in his neck. It's a major blow to the 2008 Gold Cup-winning rider.

Such were the initial fears of those on the ground, Paul Nicholls immediately called for the air ambulance service and Thomas was airlifted to Royal United Hospital in Bath where it was confirmed that although the injuries were not as bad as first feared, he had cracked vertebrae in his neck.

Speaking yesterday evening trainer Tom George said: "I haven't spoken to Sam directly, but I have spoken to his father who is with him and he will not be riding at Cheltenham next week.

"He has suffered a crack to a vertebrae high up in his neck but it is not as bad as first feared and he is able to walk, talk and move his hands and feet. It's obviously disappointing that he will miss Cheltenham but the news is largely positive and his injuries will heal with time."

Just to finish the thread off - Poor Sam  

[jennywales]

Yes, a shame. He's been through a lot, and this must just seem like the next worst thing. But I suppose that jockeys have their own way of dealing with misfortune; they have to, otherwise they would go nuts pretty quickly - if one doesn't consider they are nuts already!