Bell injury is '˜worse than they thought', says Fahey

The North Yorkshire rider was injured at Carlisle last Friday when her mount, Royal Duchess, reared up and fell on her on the way to the start. After a visit to Carlisle Infirmary, she was diagnosed with a cracked pubic bone, but a subsequent CT scan revealed complications.

Bell, the leading rider at last summer’s Shergar Cup, was taken from York to Hull Royal Infirmary.

“They might have to put plates in her and all sorts,” said Bell’s boss Richard Fahey. “She’s been transferred to Hull from York. I was surprised they let her out on Friday. We’ll know a bit more after they’ve had a proper look, but it sounds like it’s worse than they thought.”

Malton-based Fahey saddles Suegioo in tonight’s BetVictor Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

Fourth behind Peter Niven’s Clever Cookie in the Yorkshire Cup, Fahey said: “He doesn’t know how to run a bad race, he is what it says on the tin. If he gets placed he’s run a good race.”

The headline horse is Max Dynamite. Trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, the stayer has not raced since finishing second to the Michelle Payne-ridden Prince Of Penzance in last November’s Melbourne Cup.

“He’s in good form,” said Mullins. “The two obvious targets, all going well after this, are the (Ascot) Gold Cup and the Melbourne Cup. How hard it will be to get him to peak in June and then November again, I don’t know, but that’s what we’re doing.”

Mark Johnston’s Royal Ascot Yalta is declared to run at Pontefract tomorrow night for the Middleham trainer. A winner at Goodwood last week under William Buick, the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot next month is a potential target.