Dobbin doubt for Brooklyn
Crowley to step in if shoulder injury rules rider out of Power Gold Cup
TONY DOBBIN, who celebrated his 1,000th victory as a jump jockey last month, was brought back down to earth at Taunton yesterday by a fall that threatens to rule him out of the Open meeting at Cheltenham.
Dobbin, 33, was trodden on after being unseated from the wellbacked Raheel when his mount stepped at the first flight of the South West Racing Experience Selling Handicap Hurdle.
X- rays on his right shoulder revealed that nothing was broken, but the injury was enough to force him to give up his mounts at Newcastle today. He may also miss the ride on Brooklyn Breeze, a 7- 1 shot, in tomorrow’s £110,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Dobbin plans to have extensive physiotherapy in a bid to ride at Cheltenham.
The in-form jockey, who rode his 1,000th winner on Alfy Rich at Hexham on October 9 and landed a four-timer at Ayr last Sunday, said: ‘I’m a bit sore. It’s not just my right shoulder. I was trodden on so I’m sore all over.
‘ I hope to be back on Saturday, but I won’t ride unless I feel 100 per cent.’
Len Lungo, trainer of Brooklyn Breeze, said: ‘ Thankfully, Tony’s injury is not as bad as first feared. Obviously, it is short notice to change jockeys but Jim Crowley will probably ride if Tony can’t, although I will have to check with the owners first.’
Martin Pipe’s Therealbandit, the stablemate of Paddy Power Gold Cup favourite Our Vic, was the best-backed horse in the race with bookmakers yesterday.
LEIGHTON ASPELL received a seven- day ban ( November 21- 27) from the Taunton stewards after failing to ride out Sgt Pepper for a place in the Maiden Hurdle.
Oliver Sherwood’s four- year- old gelding, who was having his third run over hurdles, finished fifth behind Silver City. Aspell said his mount had struggled for stamina in his races and insisted he was trying to nurse him home.
c.mackenzie@dailymail.co.uk