WILLIE CARSON was last night "stable but not critical" in hospital with a liver injury after he was kicked by a horse in a frightening accident at Newbury yesterday.

A body protector saved the 53 year old jockey from much more serious injury. It is not thought that he will need surgery.

Carson was taken by ambulance to the North Hampshire Hospital after the incident occurred in the parade ring in the build up to the Polygram, Monster Collection Fillies Stakes.

Mervyn Rees, the hospital's consultant liver surgeon, said: "Carson arrived shortly after 4.20 this afternoon. Examination revealed that he had sustained an isolated injury to his liver. He is in a stable but not critical condition."

An eye witness to the accident, Selena Drage, said: "He was just approaching the horse when she suddenly swerved round and lashed out. She must have flung him 15 feet into the trees. I've never seen anything like it."

Carson was conscious but was quiet for some time until eventually exclaiming: "What a cow that is!"