McMenamin expected to be fit for Tommy’s Oscar ride after Musselburgh scare

Champion conditional went for X-rays after fall.

Danny McMenamin is expected to be fit to ride Tommy’s Oscar in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham despite suffering a heavy fall at Musselburgh on Wednesday.

Last year’s champion conditional jockey took a tumble at the second flight from the Nicky Richards-trained Home Fire in a two-mile handicap hurdle.

He went to hospital for X-rays on his neck which showed there was no serious damage.

Tommy's Oscar and Danny McMenamin on the way to victory at Haydock
Tommy’s Oscar and Danny McMenamin on the way to victory at Haydock (Simon Marper/PA)

“He got knocked out, so he’s had his X-rays. They were clean and he’s OK,” said his agent Richard Hale.

“He went to get X-rays on his neck and all was fine. It’s just a case of passing a concussion test now in a week’s time.

“He should be back for the Champion Hurdle anyway. He should be all right as long as he passes his concussion test.”

McMenamin has struck up a fine partnership with the Ann Hamilton-trained Tommy’s Oscar, winning six times aboard the seven-year-old – most recently in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock. Only Epatante and Adagio are shorter in the betting for the Cheltenham showpiece among British-trained contenders.

Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.

Latest