Fanning set for spell out

Joe Fanning is set for a short spell off the track after suffering abdominal injuries at Catterick on Tuesday.

The Dubliner, who is regarded as one of the most consistent flat jockey’s in the history of the sport, was unseated from the Mark Johnston-trained Spirit Of Wedza during a seven-furlong maiden and in the process received a nasty kick from the horse.

Fanning, who had finished second on-board Mistymoistymorning in an earlier race at Catterick, spent the night at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he underwent several tests.

The jockey’s agent, Niall Hannity, went along to check on his client and the latter revealed Fanning would have to rest up for the next couple of days at least.

“He got a kick in the abdominal area and the hospital did a lot of tests on him,” he said. “I went with him to the hospital and he’s in good form, but it could have been a whole lot worse. Regarding when he will be back riding, I’m not so sure, but he’ll need a good few days to recover.”