Magnier on the mend following back operation

JP MAGNIER, son of the Coolmore Stud supremo John Magnier, is expected to be discharged from Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital later this week after undergoing a successful operation on his back.

The amateur jockey suffered a heavy fall at Down Royal on Friday when his mount, On The Verge, slipped up in the bumper race.

Doctors operated on Sunday to insert steel rods into his back to stabilise his vertebrae and Magnier is currently in a cast.

The Turf Club’s medical officer, Dr Adrian McGoldrick, said yesterday: “A family friend has told me the operation was very successful. He will remain in Belfast for three or four days and then will be discharged home.”

The opening mile maiden at today’s Killarney meeting can go to the Coolmore hope Hall Of Mirrors who sports first-time cheek-pieces.

The son of Duke Of Marmalade looked very wayward on his last start at Leopardstown, drifting right across the course, but still managing to finish runner-up to Galileo Rock. Hall Of Mirrors can get the better of Impound.

Dermot Weld should have better luck in the concluding handicap with Encrypted Message who found only Sure Reef too good for him at Galway a month ago.

First-time cheek-pieces could also work the oracle for Celtic Cailin in the mares handicap hurdle at Downpatrick.

* Tipperary trainer Tom Hogan is targeting sprinter Gordon Lord Byron at Group One glory in Saturday’s Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock. Winner of a Listed event at York last month, Gordon Lord Byron is one of three Irish trained hopefuls among the 18 entries remaining in the big sprint.