Woods in fall scare

The death of Steve Wood in a fall at Lingfield a year ago is remembered at the track today when the first race is named in his honour, but a horrific accident at Brighton yesterday served an even stronger reminder of the dangers that jockeys face each day, writes John Cobb.

Wendyll Woods was fortunate to escape serious injury when his mount, Legal Train, fell at the bend into the straight and rolled over his rider as the pair crashed to the turf. Legal Train's knee was smashed and he was put down.

Woods, who lay motionless for some time, was not seriously hurt but was taken to hospital for an X-ray examination on his ribs and right thumb.

The opening race was also rather rough and Michael Bell's apprentice, Gavin Faulkner, was banned for six days for three separate riding offences in the race. Faulkner, first past the post on Double Point, left a trail of devastation behind him, causing interference soon after the start, then almost bringing down the hot favourite, Caricature, and finally using his whip incorrectly.

He was found guilty of irresponsible riding for the first offence, careless riding for the next and improper riding for the transgression of the whip rules. The horse was disqualified.