Zara's horror as jockey ex-boyfriend takes a tumble from horse at Cheltenham Festival

-Richard Johnson fell badly on Wishful Thinking during the second day of racing at the famous event
-34-year-old fell as his former girlfriend of four years looked on in horror with the Duchess of Cornwall
-Horse and jockey both recovering well

By KATHERINE FAULKNER

Worrying: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, and Zara Phillips, centre, reactin horror as Robert Johnson falls badly on Wishful Thinking on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival

Hand pressed to her mouth in horror, her face is a picture of fear and concern.
And little wonder – this is the moment Zara Phillips saw her jockey ex-boyfriend thrown from his horse at Cheltenham yesterday.
The queen’s granddaughter could only watch aghast from the royal box as Richard Johnson tumbled spectacularly to the ground during his race. His horse crashed through the railings and into the crowd, drawing gasps from thousands of bystanders.


Horrific: The jockey and horse collide into the barrier and photographers leaving Mr Johnson sprawled on the ground

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was standing beside Zara and winced as the horse fell on to Johnson, crushing his left leg.
The injured jockey was lifted into an ambulance on a stretcher, in visible pain. He was taken for emergency treatment and ruled out of the rest of the day’s races.
Last night Johnson was said to be recovering well, having suffered only a soft tissue injury. ‘He had a lucky escape because it looked a terrible fall,’ a racing official said.
‘He is obviously shaken, but physically, he is in remarkably good shape.’

Anxious time: Despite their stormy four-year relationship, Zara is clearly concerned about the condition of ex-boyfriend Robert Johnson


Tumble: Richard Johnson, Zara Phillips' ex boyfriend, begins to go down after Wishful Thinking falls after jumping a fence

Shocking: A photographer dramatically captures the moment Wishful Thinking buckles following a jump

Racecourse horror: This image shows how fortunate Wishful Thinking was not to have been seriously injured

Nasty: Mr Johnson clearly looks concerned as he falls at high speed during the Queen Mother Champion Chase

His horse, Wishful Thinking, was also said to be recovering.
Zara and Johnson had a tumultuous relationship which lasted more than five years. They eventually split in 2003.
Johnson, 34, had been riding in the Queen Mother Champion Chase – a race beloved by the Royals. Camilla backed the winner, Finian’s Rainbow, and was seen cheering in delight when her horse came in first.

Injured: A photographer was left with a facial injury following the fall

Chaotic: Wishful Thinking is caught as Richard Johnson and a photographer lie injured on the floor. Mr Johnson fortunately suffered only minor injuries

source: dailymail