Racing: Southwell scare for jockey Powell

The young rider, who on Friday rode a winner for the Queen on the Flat at Newmarket, was knocked unconscious after coming to grief from The Lemonpie, trained by his father, Brendan senior. Powell was taken by ambulance to the Queen’s Medical Centre but was later released and tweeted: “Thanks for all your concerned tweets, a bit sore and a bit of a headache, but nothing  broken!! £thankgod”

Racing was initially delayed for an hour while the ambulance  returned to the track, but a further delay  ensued when both ambulances encountered problems back at Southwell. The 2.40pm race eventually got off at just before 4.05pm.

On a dramatic afternoon at the Nottinghamshire track, Ian Popham made a fairytale return to the saddle after being sidelined for ten months when he partnered Sky Calling to victory. The 3lb claimer broke his pelvis in a fall when riding out for Caroline Keevil in September and was making his long-awaited comeback on the nine-year-old, trained by his boss Martin Keighley. And it was a double celebration, as Sky Calling was Keighley’s 100th winner as a trainer.

Popham had the 9-1 shot in the front rank all the way before going on at the third-last. Robbie made smooth progress to challenge but fell at the final flight, giving Andrew Thornton a nasty tumble and leaving Sky Calling to come home four lengths clear of Lukey’s Luck.

Condicote-based Keighley said: “That’s our 100th winner and Ian Popham’s first winner after being off for over ten months, so it was special. It’s fantastic and I’m delighted for him..”

Thornton was stood down for the rest of the day after sustaining a leg injury. Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: “Andrew has been stood down. I’ve spoken to him and they don’t believe his leg is broken. There is a possibly some ligament damage or something like that.”

Meanwhile, Slade Power battled through the testing conditions to lift the Belgrave Stakes at Fairyhouse. Edward Lynam’s progressive young sprinter got the better of the much more experienced five-year-old Arctic to take the Listed contest in determined fashion.

At Ayr today, Kieren Fallon is the star attraction when he has four mounts at the track which stages its traditional Glasgow Fair Festival Monday Family Day.The six-time champion, always popular in Scotland, is sure to add to the crowd. Fallon teams up with Yorkshire-based Scottish trainer Mark Johnston on Colour Guard in the feature event, the £16,000 Polyflor Handicap over a mile and the same combination also team up with Danube River. Fallon also rides last week’s course winner The Nifty Fox and Berbice for Linda Perratt.

SELECTIONS

Ayr

2.05 Red Paladin

2.35 The Nifty Fox

3.05 Sabratha

3.35 Kimbali

4.05 Karaka Jack

4.35 Rub Of The Relic

5.05 Lady Bluesky

Southwell

2.15 Stripped Bear

2.45 Bix

3.15 Son Vida

3.45 Opus Dei

4.15 Reve De Jour

4.45 Miss Noble

5.15 Omid Windsor

6.10 Cruise Tothelimit

6.40 Purple N’Gold

7.10 Shahdaroba

7.40 Ashaadd

8.10 Keene Dancer

8.40 Minoan Dancer (nap)

Wolverhampton

6.00 Branson

6.30 Mexican Wave

7.00 Missile Attack

7.30 Levi Draper

8.00 Honest Deal

8.30 Edraaq

9.00 Footstepsofspring