Jacob in Festival drama

Daryl Jacob faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering multiple injuries in a dramatic incident before the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Jacob's mount, the Paul Nicholls-trained Port Melon, crashed into a rail before the race, throwing the rider to the ground in a spectator area and sending a Channel 4 camera position flying.

Jacob, who won the preceding County Hurdle on Nicholls' Lac Fontana, was seen being stretchered away from the area but while conscious was complaining of pain in one of his legs.

Jacob was taken to hospital for assessment, and Nicholls later told Racing UK: "It's not great news, I'm afraid. It's been confirmed at the hospital he's broken his knee, his leg and his elbow.

"He's going to be operated on tomorrow morning. It's devastating for him and is going to put him out for a while. I've seen the video of the incident and it's horrific.

"Obviously, he's desperately disappointed, but I'm glad he rode that winner on Lac Fontana or else he'd have been suicidal. He's ridden a winner, he's in good spirits, but it's terrible news having an injury like that."