Spare a thought for Phil Kinsella, who, instead of heading to Wetherby this evening with the chance of figuring among the winners, is facing at least a month on the sidelines after fracturing a vertebrae in his neck.

Kinsella, who rides as stable jockey to Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson, was diagnosed with his fracture after a couple of heavy falls and is now required to wear a neck brace until he returns to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough for reassessment in four weeks time.

Kinsella rode The Magic Bishop into second place at Wetherby 11 days ago and the Jefferson-trained gelding is expected to go one better in tonight’s Wetherby Racecourse Showground For Outdoor Events Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Hurdle. James Halliday takes the mount.

The Magic Bishop failed by only half-a-length to beat Chief Buccaneer on his latest start, the pair having drawn more than 30 lengths clear of the remainder. That form looks solid and The Magic Bishop should prove hard to beat.

Kinsella rode Nothingbutthetruth to a seven lengths success over Pistol Basc here at the last meeting and the gelding, trained at Norton by Tim Pitt, has every chance of following up in the ‘Party In Paddock’ – 3rd June Novices’ Handicap Chase.

A 7lb penalty may not be enough to halt Nothingbutthetruth who, in Kinsella’s absence, will be partnered by Malton jockey Dougie Costello.

Also worth noting are the in-form Mardood (6.50), who will be partnered by Denis O’Regan, and Eliza Doalott (7.55), a prolific point-to-point winner, who won a hunters chase in stylish fashion at Hexham on her latest start for Maxine Stirk. Guy Brewer has the mount.

The final day of Chester’s May festival takes place tomorrow and Norton apprentice Ian Brennan has excellent prospects of a double. The 5lb claimer teams up with Duchess Dora, trained by his boss John Quinn, in the sportingbet.com Handicap over five furlongs, having ridden this speedy filly to a narrow success at Sandown a fortnight ago. She has good prospects of defying a 3lb rise from the plum draw in stall one.

Brennan rides Embsay Crag in the Cruise Nightspot Handicap and Kate Walton’s gutsy gelding, a winner on this course last season, is fancied to prevail.

He has run two good races this season at Doncaster, both over ten furlongs. This step up to a mile-and-a-half will suit him.

Nigel Tinkler, who has his horses in good form, has selected the opening race as a starting point to the season for Webbow (1.45), who ran some splendid races in defeat last year, while class act Harbinger (2.45), cosy winner of the John Porter Stakes at Newbury on his reappearance, is fancied to follow up in the Ormonde Stakes.

• Tomorrow’s Ripon meeting will be previewed tomorrow.


Racing selections

Wetherby (today)
5.45 The Magic Bishop, 6.15 Nothingbutthetruth, 6.50 Mardood, 7.20 Silver Steel, 7.55 Eliza Doalott, 8.25 Dabaratsa.

Today’s meetings:
Chester, Ffos Las, Goodwood, Newton Abbot and Wincanton.

Chester (tomorrow)
1.45 Webbow, 2.15 Azmeel, 2.45 Harbinger, 3.15 Duchess Dora, 3.55 Safina, 4.30 Lucky Number, 5.05 Embsay Crag (NAP).

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Aintree, Hamilton, Lingfield, Nottingham and Ripon.