GRAND NATIONAL hero Derek Fox was rushed to hospital after being catapulted to the ground in a horrific fall at Ayr.
The dual Aintree superstar – who won last year’s race on Corach Rambler – was shown on TV hobbling and holding his right arm.
Racing TVGrand National hero Fox was shown hobbling into an ambulance[/caption]
PAIt is hoped Fox’s injury isn’t too serious ahead of his Grand National defence[/caption]
Irish jockey Fox, 31, was riding 100-30 Clovis Boy in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at the Scottish track when disaster struck.
The Lucinda Russell-trained five-year-old appeared to slip and stumble approaching the second hurdle from home.
Clovis Boy lunged forward and somersaulted, sending Fox flying in the 1.15.
The horse was up and OK afterwards but Fox appeared in pain as he slowly made his way to the on-course ambulance.
Racing was subsequently delayed while officials waited for the ambulance to return.
Today’s racing at Fakenham was abandoned seconds before the first race due to waterlogged ground stopping the vehicles from getting to stricken jockeys.
It is hoped Fox – who was booked for rides later in the card – will make a quick recovery.
There are just ten weeks until Cheltenham Festival and Peter Scudamore, Russell’s partner, said Corach Rambler will likely be seen at the home of jumps.
A run in the Gold Cup will almost certainly come before he attempts to defend his Grand National title.
Incredibly, Fox was injured just days before the 2023 National and had to give up the ride on Ahoy Senor in the Aintree Bowl.
But fortunately a shoulder injury healed itself almost fully by the time the £1million race came round.
The horse was sent off 8-1 favourite and coasted round en route to scooping the world’s most famous race.
Fox has ridden the horse in all of his 15 races under rules, winning the Ultima at the Festival before the Grand National.