'Choc' to miss Cheltenham

Leading jockey Robert Thornton looks set to miss next week's Cheltenham Festival and the rest of the season due to injury.

Thornton suffered a heavy fall when riding Our Phylli Vera for his boss Alan King at Southwell on Monday, but his injuries were not thought to be serious and he was expected to be in action at Exeter the following day.

However, he did not take up his one ride at the Devon track and has since undergone tests, which revealed bad news.

Thornton tweeted: "Few tests yesterday, not great news looks like I'll be missing the rest of the season."

King admits he is "absolutely gutted" for his stable jockey. "When I spoke to him last night I realised things were pretty bad," said the Barbury Castle handler.

"After the fall we all thought he was just badly bruised, but the scan has obviously said otherwise.

"I'm not entirely sure what the injury is, I believe he's done something to his arm. We'll get by, but I just feel so sorry for Choc (Thornton). We're all absolutely gutted for him."