Jockey Gina Andrews fearing surgery on face after fracturing eye socket and cheekbone in horror Cheltenham fall

LEADING amateur jockey Gina Andrews fears she may need surgery on her face after her horrific Cheltenham fall.

Andrews, 28, fractured an eye socket and cheekbone when kicked in the face by a horse.

Andrews was rushed to hospital after her horrific Cheltenham fallThe leading amateur jockey is hoping to avoid surgery on her face

She also bruised a liver after being whacked as she lay stricken on the floor.

Andrews was leading on 18-1 chance Haafapiece when it fell at the final flight of the 2m 1f race over hurdles.

She was taken to an ambulance on a stretcher and rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

Her sister Bridget said she would ‘not be pretty for a few days’ after the scary fall, but Gina is now resting and recuperating at home.

She finds out on Wednesday whether she will need an operation.

Andrews told the Racing Post: “I’m all right but I’ve been better. It’s very frustrating.

“I was in front when I fell and Haafapiece had a great chance of winning too.

“I don’t know whether the main damage came from the actual fall or the ones behind, but I got a fair kicking.

Andrews was whacked in the face by a hoof as she fell

“I’m looking at being out for around six week unfortunately.

“I spent the night at the Royal Gloucester Hospital and I’ve got to go back on Wednesday to see if I need an operation on my face.

“Depending on how that goes it could be longer, my return date all depends on that. Hopefully I’ll be back soon.”

Andrews looked like winning on her ride until the seven-year-old’s legs went from underneath it at the last – and almost brought down Nordic Combined too.

Andrews says it is ‘frustrating’ having to sit out races through injury at a busy time of the season

Fellow jockey Fergus Gillard did well to stay upright on his mount but in the carnage that came after Haafapiece’s fall it appeared to kick Andrews in the face on its way by.

Haafapiece galloped away unhurt afterwards.

A Cheltenham statement read: “Following a fall in the 12.40 Catebsy Handicap Hurdle on board Haafapiece, jockey Gina Andrews was immediately attended to by the on-course medical team. She is conscious and has now been transported to Royal Gloucester Hospital.

“Further information will be provided by the hospital or parties nominated on her behalf. The racecourse team would like to express our best wishes to Gina, and our thoughts are with her and her family.”

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