PAUL Mulrennan is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering multiple fractures in his back after a fall on the gallops.

The leading northern rider, who writes a weekly column for The Northern Echo, took a tumble while riding out for Michael Dods on Saturday morning and subsequent X-rays revealed the extent of the damage.

Mulrennan’s agent, Richard Hale, said: “He had the X-rays and it’s not good news, unfortunately. It looks like he’s fractured three vertebrae.

“The last I heard it doesn’t sound like they’re going to operate, but he will obviously be immobilised for a while.” Mulrennan had been due to ride top weight Master The World in the feature John Smith’s Cup at York on Saturday.

He was replaced by Dane O’Neill.