Injured Hide Making Good Progress

Philip Hide continues to make good progress following his crashing fall at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The jockey was thrown into the running rail after his mount, Hatch A Plan, stumbled on landing and fell at the first in the Letheby And Christopher Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

While he had initially been lucid, Hide's condition later worsened in the racecourse's medical centre and he was rushed to nearby Cheltenham General Hospital by ambulance.

Following treatment for a fractured pelvis and head injury ? not described as serious ? Hide made progress on Saturday evening and was described as being in a 'stable' condition.

On-course medic Dr Smith, who spent time with the jockey at the track on Saturday and in Cheltenham General last night, said: 'He's much better and completely conscious.

'He's improved greatly from Saturday ? he's stable and causing no concern, but he has a fractured pelvis which will need surgery.

'He will be operated on by a pelvic surgeon to stabilise the injury, probably in Gloucester or Bristol.'

While the scans highlighted the nature of the fracture, Smith is unsure as to when corrective surgery will take place.

'He's had a preliminary CT (scan) of his pelvis, the pictures will be reconstructed into 3-D and then the pelvic surgeon will decide the appropriate time to operate,' she added.

Although specialists are not unduly worried about the jockey's head injury, Smith stressed Hide will be out of action for a long time while his pelvis heals.

She said: 'He had concussion and was very confused after the fall, but the brain scan was normal.

'This type of injury requires prolonged recovery and a long period of non-weight-bearing on the injured side.'

(C) PA Sport