Irish jockeys in the wars at Aintree Festival

Irish jockeys Mikey Fogarty and Paul Carberry were taken to hospital in Aintree after nasty falls in the Topham Chase, with fellow riders Andrew Tinkler and Cork rider Noel Fehily others to be stood down following a dramatic renewal.

Wexford jockey Fogarty, who has made a real name for himself since switching from the amateur ranks, was hurt when the Willie Mullins-trained Bishopsfurze came to grief in the race over the National fences.

All four have booked mounts in the Grand National, with Fogarty on Vesper Bell, Tinkler aboard Hunt Ball, Fehily on Rocky Creek and Carberry the well-fancied Monbeg Dude.

Early reports suggested Carberry had a collarbone injury, although it later emerged it could have been a pelvic issue.

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said: "Paul has gone for precautionary X-rays on his pelvis and Mikey has gone straight to hospital. Both are at University Hospital Fazakerley.

“Noel Fehily and Andrew Tinkler have been stood down for the day and will have to pass the medical officer tomorrow. They should be fine, they both hope to be okay. And Paul hopes to be okay as well.”

Monbeg Dude’s trainer Michael Scudamore said: “The last I heard he was going for an X-ray on his pelvis and we obviously won’t really know where we are until we hear the results of that.

“My dad actually saw him (Carberry) as he was leaving the course and said he was quite happy and bright, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Fingers crossed he’ll be okay.”

Tipperary man Seán Quinlan was another to be hurt on the day when parting company with Party Rock in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle.

After being treated on the track he was also taken to Fazakerley for further assessment, reportedly on a precautionary basis.