Racing: Roberts restricted by injury

MICHAEL ROBERTS' pursuit of the jockeys' championship came to a temporary halt yesterday morning, when he sustained minor neck injuries in a fall while riding work for Clive Brittain. Roberts was forced to give up his nine rides on yesterday's cards, six at Yarmouth in the afternoon and three at Catterick's evening meeting, but expects to be fit enought to return to the saddle at Beverley this afternoon.

Roberts was unshipped from a juvenile filly, Shamisen, while going out for first lot. 'As we reached the gallops the filly dropped her head very low,' he said. 'I went to pick it up, but as she brought it back she smacked me on the side of the head. I had her on a long rein, lost my balance and fell on my neck. I will sit on a horse again tomorrow morning before I decide whether to resume, but I don't think there will be any problem.'

Pat Eddery, barring injuries the sole rival to Roberts in the championship race, was unable to take advantage of the leader's absence, as he was committed to ride at Deauville for his principal retainer, Khalid Abdullah.

Eddery goes to Salisbury this afternoon, but he and Roberts will definitely be riding head-to-head at York's Ebor meeting next week. In the eponymous handicap, Ladbrokes report backing for Clive Brittain's Hajaim (12-1 from 14-1) and recent Brighton winner Barrish (16-1 from 20-1), and have introduced Guy Harwood's lightly-raced three- year-old Storm Crossing into their list at 14-1.