GRAHAM WYLIE’S Back In Focus is a major doubt for April’s Grand National after suffering a freak injury in his stable.

Trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, Back In Focus has suffered a suspected broken cheekbone and will require treatment before returning to training.

The chaser, who won the National Hunt Chase at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival, spent more than a year on the sidelines after injuring his leg in April 2013.

He returned to action at Navan earlier this month, and had been due to run in either the World Hurdle or Coral Cup at next month’s Cheltenham Festival as a warm-up for the Grand National at Aintree, for which he was a 25-1 shot in the ante-post markets.

However, he will not be travelling to Cheltenham, and is rated a major doubt for Aintree.

Mullins said: “Back In Focus must have got a fright in his box overnight and we discovered he had banged his head. We are not sure how it happened, although it was very windy and that might have upset him.

“We think he might have fractured his cheekbone and he’s gone to Fethard Veterinary Clinic to have the injury checked out.

“We’ll have to wait and see the extent of his injury, but there has to be a doubt now about making the National, which has been his target all along.”

**

ROBYNNE WATTON, the senior travelling manager to Mark Johnston, was one of the two runners-up in the Dedication To Racing category at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards that were held in London on Monday night.

Lesley White, the travelling head lass to Mick Channon, was the winner of the award, but Watton was shortlisted for her work at Johnston’s Middleham stables.

**

SEDGEFIELD RACECOURSE stages its popular Fish Fryers Raceday on Sunday, with a seven-race card starting at 2.10pm.

Advance admission for the day, which is sponsored by Collins Seafoods Limited, costs £13, with children under 18 admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

A special fish and chip package is also available for £22, which includes grandstand and paddock admission, fish and chips, a welcome drink, a raceday programme and a £2 tote betting voucher.

Newcastle stage a six-race card next Tuesday (March 3), with the first race scheduled for 2.20pm and the last race due to start at 4.50pm.