Williamson's rough school

Norman Williamson was forced to miss his two rides at Chepstow yesterday evening because of injury. The Irishman, whose tally of 114 winners this season is a personal best, had to withdraw after a schooling accident in the afternoon.

"I've badly bruised a thigh and sprained an ankle on separate legs, so it's pretty painful," he said. "I've been for X-rays and luckily nothing is broken but I will miss Punchestown tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be back for Perth on Wednesday but I will have to see how I feel in the morning."

nTony Dobbin, the top northern-based jockey, will not ride again this season on the advice of the renowned orthopaedic surgeon Hugh Barber. The 22-year-old rider, who is retained by the Gordon Richards stable, took a crashing fall at Kelso three weeks ago in which he suffered crushed veterbra when kicked by a following horse.