Jockey hospitalised after dramatic fall at Punchestown Festival | Other | Sport

A jockey was rushed to hospital after sustaining a fall at the Punchestown Festival on Thursday. Eoin Staples is due to be crowned champion conditional jockey on Saturday at the Co Kildare track, but it seems that his week may have come to a premature end.

Staples was unseated from Release The Beast at the first fence in the listed Frontline Security Handicap Chase over 2m 75y and was taken to hospital with a suspected arm injury. Elsewhere, Kopek Des Bordes, ridden by Paul Townend, also endured a dramatic tumble in the Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown on Thursday.

Sent off the 4-11 favourite, the horse appeared to have the race firmly in his grasp, having travelled powerfully into the lead, before coming to grief two from home.

Salvator Mundi inherited a narrow lead following Kopek Des Bordes’ exit and was able to gallop clear to a 12-length victory over Irish Panther, handing Willie Mullins an 11th consecutive triumph in the two-mile contest.

“He’s a good horse in his own right,” said Mullins of the winner.

“He was right on the premises; it wasn’t as if he was 20 lengths behind and picked up the pieces. He was going to be involved in the finish.

“If Kopek had made a mistake there and got away with it, your man was right on his tail.

“He’s always been a good horse, but things just haven’t gone right for him. It’s nice to get a big race like that with him.

“He won in Aintree last year and he’s no back-number. He probably needs nice ground. He’s probably more of a spring horse than a real winter horse.

“I’m delighted for Marie and Joe Donnelly. They’ve had a disappointing season, but now they have Kitzbuhel and this fella winning.”

Turning his attention to Kopek Des Bordes, the trainer remarked: “He probably just lost his concentration going to the fence, without horses around him to keep him focused.

“He appeared to take off but never put out his landing gear and landed on his knees. I think both horse and rider were very lucky. They seem to be alright, fingers crossed they are.”