MICK FITZGERALD brought home the dangers of racing with the injuries he sustained when he took a tumble during the Grand National.
The elite jockey came down hard when his horse L'Ami reared up at the second fence, leaving the Irishman requiring emergency surgery at the Royal Hospital.
Thankfully, the operation on Sunday to realign three vertebrae and two discs was a success. But his career remains under a cloud.
He is expected to go back under the knife for a planned second operation later this week.
Admittedly, I won’t be tackling any jumps when my big day comes around in a few weeks, but to fall off any racehorse at the speeds they generate is always risky.
That's why, when my own racing specific training begins tomorrow, one of the first things I will be learning is how to fall right.
Being in great shape and also being pretty supple are key to that skill. Let's hope I don't require a practical!
I was glued to Aintree all weekend, especially Friday, when I was fascinated by the jockeys and the skill they require just to stay on board.
I tried cantering with high stirrups and with my seat up out of the saddle last week, and within a couple of minutes my thighs and backside were burning with fatigue.
Jockeys are perched high on a tiny saddle that, a few weeks ago at least, wouldn't have been big enough to cater for one cheek from my rear end!
