FITZGERALD AND CULLOTY IN THE WARS AT NEWBURY Mick Fitzgerald was taken to hospital with suspected shoulder injuries after a final-fence fall at Newbury this afternoon.Fitzgerald was in the lead aboard Mighty Strong in the Lane Fox Handicap Chase and was clear when the pair crashed out, handing the contest on a plate to favourite Merchants Friend, formerly trained by Tom Taaffe.Fitzgerald was left stricken on the turf in front of the grandstands for some time but with the help of paramedics he eventually got to his feet.'He`s been taken to hospital in a neck brace and we don`t really know what`s wrong with him until they`ve done the X-rays,' said Mighty Strong`s trainer Nicky Henderson.'It looked pretty bad for a while but hopefully it won`t be too serious. We`ll follow him on to the hospital later and find out what the situation is.'The race had already seen drama when no less than four horses came down at the first fence. Ashley Muck and Tony McCoy suffered a heavy fall and took Bush Park, Taillefer and Clear Skies out of the race.Taillefer`s rider Jim Culloty was stood down until Saturday, suffering from the effects of mild concussion.Killarney man Culloty is confident of being able to return in time to ride Perfect Fellow in Saturday`s big race, the Thomas Pink Gold Cup.
