Fitzgerald is 'comfortable' After Bad Fall at Second Fence

Mick Fitzgerald, who was thought to have suffered spinal injuries in a fall from L'Ami at the second fence in the Grand National, was yesterday reported to be "comfortable and undergoing assessment" in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Fitzgerald, 37, was initially taken to Fazackerley Hospital on Saturday evening, but was transferred to the Royal Liverpool later the same evening. A spokeswoman for the hospital said yesterday that there were no plans for the jockey to be discharged, and he was expected to remain there until this morning at least.

Fitzgerald is one of the most senior jockeys in the jumps weighing room, and two years older than Tony Dobbin, who announced his retirement from riding late last week. Fitzgerald had himself announced plans to retire at the end of the 2006-07 season, only to change his mind and continue his riding career as he did not feel ready to hang up his boots.

Saturday's injury will inevitably prompt speculation that Fitzgerald, who won the 1996 Grand National on Rough Quest and the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More Business, may now find that the decision has effectively been taken out of his hands.

Trainer Dermot Weld dominated the early Irish Classic trials yesterday at Leopardstown as he took all three feature events on an afternoon his rival Aidan O'Brien will choose to forget. Weld sent out Famous Name for an easy victory in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes before Unwritten Rule dented the Derby aspirations of O'Brien's Washington Irving in the Fox rock Race.

Washington Irving, the 8-13 favorite, was all the rage for his race and made eye-catching progress up the inside rail for Johnny Murtagh but was held by 9-2 shot Unwritten Rule in a photo-finish. The runner-up remains 16-1 for Epsom with William Hill but was eased to 25's by Irish bookmakers Cashmans.

"We're happy - he's run a very good race," reflected O'Brien. The winner has a future too, and Weld said: "He's a tough colt, a staying horse and the Derrinstown Derby Trial would be the logical step."

Ron Cox's tip of the day

Bendarshaan 4.20 Plumpton

Venetia Williams' unexposed eight-year-old has progressed with every run this season and will not need much further improvement to snatch this. Judged on his soft-ground second at Wincanton last week, today's conditions should suit and a line of form from that race's winner, Wotchalike, to Bendarshaan's likely biggest rival, Pacco, suggests he can gain his first win over timber.