Francis Lawlor was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with serious head injuries following a fall at Down Royal this evening.

The 19-year-old claimer from Ballitore in Kildare suffered a heavy fall when Hammer It Home crashed out at the third last in the Data Select Handicap Hurdle.

"He has suffered head injuries and is still unconscious. Dr Welby Henry, who saw him, was very worried about him," reported Turf Club Medical Officer Dr John Kennedy after the race.

The Turf Club's Chief Medical Officer Adrian McGoldrick later added: "He has a serious head injury and is currently under investigation in the Royal Victoria Hospital."

McGoldrick had some more positive news later in the night, reporting that Lawlor was "very stable" and hadn't required surgery.