TREVOR HORGAN, seriously injured in a crashing fall at Punchestown on Wednesday, regained full consciousness in Beaumont Hospital yesterday morning.

Initial fears that the Co Cork-born rider might have sustained a hairline fracture to his skull when falling from Corket in the Heineken Gold Cup have proved unfounded and Horgan will leave Beaumont in several days time.

"I'm delighted to say there has been significant improvement," said Turf Club medical officer Dr Walter Halley. "I saw him this morning, asked him what horse he rode and he said Corket. He's out of danger."

Jockeys who are seriously concussed are stood down for 21 days but Horgan will be out of racing action for longer. "I've already extended that 21 days and talk of when he will ride again is way down the line," Dr Halley added.