AP steps in as Noel Fehily injured

NOEL Fehily was taken to hospital after sustaining a wrist injury in a fall at Newbury yesterday.

Fehily has struck up a fruitful partnership with Paul Nicholls in recent weeks after stable jockey Ruby Walsh broke his leg in a fall at Down Royal at the beginning of November.

Fehily was riding Rivaliste for the champion trainer in the sportingbet.com Handicap Chase when the pair came down at the sixth fence.

Nicholls has secured Tony McCoy to ride Neptune Collonges in the Hennessy Gold Cup today and reigning staying champion Big Buck's on his return in the Long Distance Hurdle.

Nicholls said: "He (Fehily] has gone off to hospital - we don't know how bad it is but I'm gutted for him. AP is riding Big Buck's and Neptune."

Also at Newbury yesterday top-notch hurdler Celestial Halo failed to fire over fences again in the Fuller's London Pride Novices' Chase after falling at Exeter last time. Nicholls' runner was not fluent over many of the obstacles but quickened on the run-in again to finish third, while the 10-11 favourite Spirit River crashed out at the sixth last. The race went in decisive fashion to Paul Webber-trained Cois Farraig (10-1).