Unlucky break for Harding
Brian Harding faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone aboard The French Furze at Ayr on Saturday.
Harding, 33, took a nasty spill aboard Nicky Richards’ 12-year-old gelding at the sixth flight in the 4* Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle at the Scottish venue.
It is the second time this year Harding has broken his collarbone – he suffered the same injury on Granit D’Estruval at Catterick in January – but only the second time in 59 starts The French Furze has come to grief in a race.
The Irish jockey will now visit a specialist on Monday morning to ascertain the full extent of the damage.
“The old boy has looked after me well over the years but it just goes to show they are all capable of falling,” reflected Harding.
“I went to the hospital in Carlisle on the way back last night and they confirmed what I already knew – that it was broken.
“I would say it’s a bad-ish brake and it’ll probably be at least three to four weeks before I’m back.
“We should know more about how bad it is tomorrow.
“The last time I broke it, it took about three weeks to recover but that wasn’t as bad a break as this one.”
