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The apprentice jockey fractured his thumb in a stalls incident aboard Ed Dunlop’s Lucidity in the Solario Racing Racehorse Syndication And Hospitality Handicap at Nottingham.

On Thursday, Billy Loughnane completed a 359/1 treble at Chepstow which firmly established the nineteen-year-old at the top of the Apprentice Jockeys Championship with 30 winners. His nearest rival, Benoit De La Sayette, has 20 winners.

"I will be pushing to be back as soon as I can," said Loughnane.

"I'm taking it day by day and I'll be back as soon as I can. It's obviously frustrating and hard at the minute, watching the horses you could have been on run, but I have had over 500 rides now and been lucky not to pick anything up so far.

"It's annoying, the timing of it, but it's just one of those things."

Loughnane has recorded 85 career wins from 506 rides and will be representing Team Ireland in the upcoming Racing League fixtures.

"I am looking forward to it, to be part of the Racing League is great. Hopefully I'll be there for a few of the meetings.

"I was born in Ireland and class myself as Irish, so I'm looking forward to representing Ireland.

"Hopefully it can boost me a little bit and give me the chance to ride for a few different trainers and get myself to the next level a little bit. It's hopefully going to be a good place to build contacts and there's great prize-money as well.

"Fingers crossed, I get a bit of luck and can ride a couple of winners."