Nico de Boinville rushed to hospital as top jockey suffers fall at first hurdle

Top horse racing jockey Nico de Boinville was taken to hospital after suffering a nasty fall at Plumpton on Monday. De Boinville was riding 3-1 favourite As The Fella Says for Nicky Henderson in the fourth race on the card, the Southern Cranes Novices' Handicap Hurdle, when he spilt at the first.

De Boinville was given medical treatment on the track before being taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Sky Sports Racing claim that he was conscious while being whisked away in an ambulance.

The first hurdle of the race was bypassed for the second time around - with De Boinville on his way to hospital. The race was won by Mostly Sunny, a Dan Skelton-trained horse, ridden by Harry Skelton.

De Boinville, 35, has ridden Constitution Hill and Jonbon in the past to great success and has been considered Henderson's first-choice jockey. He is due to be onboard Jonbon this Saturday in Sandown's Celebration Chase, for which he is 8-11 favourite.

A big end to the season was set for De Boinville, who potentially could be riding Constitution Hill at next month's Punchestown Festival. Their participation is dependent on Henderson being impressed by the pairing ahead of what would be a much-anticipated rematch with Lossiemouth and State Man.

It is the third time this season that De Boinville has suffered a fall. The first two times were onboard Constitution Hill, when they were moments from victory.

They were cruising to a win on the opening day of the festival but in one of most dramatic races, fell, then leader State Man also hit the floor on the last and missed out on a £250,000 prize as it slipped between their fingers.

De Boinville and Constitution Hill , allowing Lossiemouth to complete an unexpected victory.

Two heartbreaking falls in a row meant the previously unbeaten superstar and De Boinville had fingers pointed towards them.

The Hampshire-born jockey will be desperate to make a quick return to action and end the season on a more positive note.