Gallagher and McNamara injured at Wetherby

Champion Hurdle-winning jockey Dean Gallagher was tonight in a 'stable' condition after suffering head injuries in a crashing fall at Wetherby today.

Storm Tiger, his mount in the wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Chase, blundered at the fourth last fence and Gallagher, who was hurled head first into the ground, was attended by paramedics for more than 10 minutes before being stretchered into the ambulance.

He was taken immediately to Leeds General Infirmary for further investigation.

A spokesman for the hospital tonight said: 'He is stable and being kept in overnight for observation.'

Tony Dobbin took a fall from Kandy Four at the same fence and gave up his remaining ride on Bosworth Boy in the bumper. But he said later: 'I was just a bit winded and I will be all right for Perth tomorrow.'

J P McNamara had earlier been taken to Harrogate District Hospital after sustaining a shoulder injury when Gipsy Geof ran out at the third last flight in a dramatic Siemens Handicap Hurdle won by Dix Bay.

McNamara was bringing Gipsy Geof to challenge when the Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding ran out of room, and as he ducked violently to the left, McNamara was thrown heavily to the ground.

He had two booked rides for Murphy at Perth tomorrow and they will now be taken by Josh Byrne.

Jonjo O`Neill`s Globe Runner took a fatal fall when just in front at the same obstacle, but his rider Liam Cooper escaped injury and he rode in a later race.

The stewards held an inquiry into possible interference between the runner-up Pertino, ridden by Graham Lee and Gipsy Geof, but they were unable to interview McNamara because of his injuries.

They interviewed Lee and Jimmy McCarthy, who rode the unplaced Chief Wardance, but having viewed a video recording of the race they were satisfied that no interference had taken place and so no blame was apportioned.

Alan Dempsey was badly shaken and gave up his remaining rides after a fall from Teen Desert, who was put down after breaking a leg in the Wetherby Millennium Stand Novices` Chase.