A FALL at Hamilton early this week has left top northern Flat jockey Paul Mulrennan’s season hanging in the balance.

Mulrennan was riding the Bryan Smart-trained Boxing Shadows when it fell entering the final furlong of the six-furlong handicap.

After being treated on the track, the jockey was taken to Glasgow’s Wishaw General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Back at Hamilton, and on a brighter note, PJ McDonald continued his good run of form when steering Focusofourthoughts to victory in the opening maiden for trainer Ann Duffield.

Afterwards, the winning rider said: “The going was a bit dead, but Focusofourthoughts wants soft ground, and I would say there is more improvement in him yet.”

Alan Swinbank is renowned for doing well with a lightlyraced young horse and tAramist fits that bill perfectly.

The three-year-old took the staying handicap at Hamilton and looks the type to keep on the right side of.

He was given a confident ride by Ben Curtis, who has been travelling over from Ireland with success for Swinbank over the last few weeks.

The concluding sprint handicap was won in very easy style by Mysterious Wonder for Middleham trainer Philip Kirby and jockey Eva Moscrop.

Both Carlisle and Beverley raced on Tuesday and the opening race at Carlisle produced a shock when 40-1 shot Running Wolf stayed on the best to land the opening maiden for Michael Dods and his very useful apprentice Connor Beasley.

At Beverley, Tracey Waggott sent out the very consistent Border Bandit to win the extended one-mile handicap under a strong ride from Robert Winston.

On Wednesday, at Goodwood, Joe Fanning rode his 99th winner of the year when Mark Johnston’s Double Bluff, running in the same colours as Double Trigger, who won the Goodwood Cup, ran out a ready winner.

Afterwards, the winning rider said: “I like his attitude.

It’s hard here to be out in the front for so long but he kept galloping.”

There was an eight-race card at Redcar and Micky Hammond saddled a birthday winner when Hatti stayed on powerfully in the nursery.

The winning trainer was on hand, saying: “She is quite small but her last two runs had been good runs.

“She had been sixth over seven furlongs at York last time and she would have been beaten over seven today, she needed the extra furlong.”

Alan Swinbank kept up his fine run of form with another winner and this time it was Ebony Express’s turn to enter the winner’s enclosure.

Swinbank said: “This horse has never done anything wrong. I hope he can get another win before the end of the season.”

Local handler Karen Tutty was also on the mark with Mercers Row, who took the six-furlong sprint under her daughter, Gemma. “The handicapper finally dropped him under 65 so he could run in a 0-65 and that has definitely helped him,” said Karen.

Tomorrow, Ripon are all set to stage their final meeting of the season with a seven-race card which is due to get under way at 2.10pm.

It’s getting to that time of the year when the jumpers are starting to step up a gear and with Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase only four weeks away, the track will be delighted to here that Grand National winner Auroras Encore is looking to start off his new season in the prestigious event, with former Gold Cup winner Long Run also being a possible runner.