TOP jockey Nico de Boinville is set to finally leave hospital after his awful fall – with his massive Constitution Hill and Jonbon rides on a knife edge.
Nicky Henderson’s No1 rider was kicked in the back by As The Fella Says when unseated at the first in a handicap hurdle at Plumpton on Easter Monday.
The top rider, 35, was treated on the track by paramedics before being rushed to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Henderson provided an update on his wellbeing on Tuesday morning – ahead of Constitution Hill’s crucial piece of work.
The former Champion Hurdle king will need to impress his boss suitably before being considered for a run at Punchestown Festival next week, where he would be ridden by De Boinville.
The massive clash could see him renew rivalry with Willie Mullins’ stars State Man and Lossiemouth, as well as Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead.
More immediately, De Boinville is booked to ride Grade 1 hero Jonbon in Sandown’s Celebration Chase on Saturday.
But spending a night in hospital is hardly ideal prep for a massive, money-spinning end to the jumps season.
Henderson said of his 17-time Cheltenham Festival winner: “He was in hospital overnight and he’s having some scans this morning and we’ll know more when we get the results.
“He had a kick in the back in the fall. He was very perky when I spoke to him last night so hopefully it’s good news with the scans.
“As The Fella Says is fine.”
De Boinville’s agent Sam Stronge provided a further update on his client, adding: “I spoke to him this morning and he said he’d be heading home shortly, whether he’s home now or not I’m not sure, but he was waiting for the results from some scans.”
As it stands, De Boinville is still down to ride Jonbon, Kientzheim, Lucky Place and Bo Zenith on Saturday.
But he can only compete if given the thumbs up from doctors.
If De Boinville fails to recover in time then Henderson will likely turn to James Bowen – whose brother Sean won the Irish Grand National with a brilliant ride on Haiti Couleurs on Monday.