YOU think that some things are important, you think that who wins the July Cup is important, you think that a Galway prospect running a nice race is important. Then a young rider has a horrific fall and there is perspective.

We know that it is part of it all. Even those of us who do not take our lives into our hands three or four or five or six times in one day know that it is a part of it. There have been too many jolting reminders of late. We know that there is always the probability of injury and the possibility of serious injury. We put it to the back of our minds until something happens to bring it to the front.

Even those who do risk everything every day put it to the back of their minds. Ask any of the top riders about injury and they will tell you that you are aware of it all right, but that you can’t dwell on it. If you dwelt on it, you wouldn’t do it.

Thank God Ana O’Brien’s injuries are not as bad as were initially feared. All we can do now is hope and pray that her recovery is fast.