Grand National jockey rushed to hospital after suffering horror fall during race | Racing | Sport

A jockey who is due to race in the Grand National was rushed to hospital earlier this week after suffering a nasty fall at Fontwell. Kielan Woods, who is due to ride Marble Sands in the big one on Saturday, was unseated while on board Mammies Boy in the 2m3f handicap hurdle. He came off his saddle at the sixth flight before he was kicked by following horse Galactic Charm.

Woods, who previously rode Marble Sands at Aintree three years ago, was taken to the hospital after the incident. However, trainer Nick Scholfield was quick to assure that he wasn’t seriously injured. He said the medical checks were precautionary, with Woods reporting pain in his pelvis after being kicked.

“I’ve been in touch with Kielan and he’s gone for a precautionary check at Chichester Hospital,” he told Racing Post.

“He was sore in the pelvis area after being kicked, but hopefully it’s not too bad. He seemed in good spirits and, as far as I know, it’s nothing very serious.”

Woods is no stranger to the Grand National, having come sixth in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle in 2023 and finishing 12th in last year’s Topham Handicap Chase.

It remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to race aboard Marble Sands on Saturday, but Scholfield’s update suggests he could recover in time.

If he is ridden to victory by Paul Townend, he will become the first winner to carry top weight since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s.

Billionaire owner JP McManus has declared Grade One winner Spillane’s Tower for the Grand National, but the horse is also scheduled to race on Thursday and a late decision will be made about where he runs.

Mr Vango, a soft-ground specialist, could also be pulled from the line-up with hot temperatures and dry conditions expected ahead of Saturday’s showpiece.

If the horse is withdrawn, second reserve Imperial Saint would sneak in at the bottom of the weights. The deadline for reserves to be confirmed is Friday, meaning time is running out for these important decisions to be made.