JOCKEY Peter Toole remains in critical condition following his fall at Aintree Racecourse.
The 22-year-old rider suffered bleeding on the right side of his brain when 100-1 shot Classic Fly fell at the first fence during Saturday’s second race, the Maghull Novices’ Chase.
Toole was taken to Fazakerley Hospital but was later transferred to Walton Neurological, where he was placed into an induced coma to help deal with serious head injuries.
A hospital spokesman said last night: “His condition is still critical but he is stable and remains in the critical care unit following his injury.”
Earlier yesterday, trainer Charlie Mann, to whom Toole is attached, said: “They need to give him a CT scan. They won’t wake him up until they have done the scan and if the CT is going to be late they’ll probably do it tomorrow, so there’s no change as it stands.”
The racecourse was forced to defend its safety record after the accident and the death of two horses in the Grand National.
Following the deaths of Ornais and Dooney’s Gate, animal rights activists called for a ban, while course manager Julian Thick said organisers were desperately sad, but added everything was being done to increase safety.
