Jockey Barry Geraghty has said he is ‘devastated’ after revealing he will be forced to miss the Cheltenham Festival through injury.
Geraghty remains in hospital after suffering six broken ribs and a collapsed lung following a fall from Charli Parcs at Kempton on Saturday, meaning he cannot ride at the Festival.
Geraghty would have had the choice of riding either ante-post favourite Buveur D’Air or Yanworth in the Champion Hurdle on the opening afternoon of the Festival, but injury has cruelly denied him the opportunity.
The Festival, which begins on March 14, will come too soon for Geraghty, but he is confident of being right for the Grand National the following month.
“I’ve a collapsed lung and six broken ribs on my right side. I’m obviously devastated to miss the Festival – there were so many good horses to look forward to as JP’s (McManus) team all look in particularly good shape this year,” he said.
“Last night was pretty rough. I’ve broken ribs individually before but never had six go all at the same time. I’ll be in hospital for a few more days but once the lung improves my recovery should be straightforward and I expect to be back for Aintree.”
