John Thomas McNamara could undergo surgery on Friday after sustaining a serious neck injury in a fall at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The 37-year-old was injured in a first fence fall from Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

McNamara, one of the leading amateurs on the circuit for a number of years, was airlifted to hospital after being treated by the on-course medics.

Conscious following the fall according to officials at the track, he was put in an induced coma before his transfer to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, chief medical officer for the Turf Club, reports there to be no change in McNamara's condition but confirmed the rider has damaged two vertebrae.

"There has been no change overnight. He's still in the induced coma," said McGoldrick.

"It is a fracture of the C3 and C4 vertebrae. He will probably be going for surgery this morning but we will know more later in the day."