Murphy counting himself lucky after avoiding serious injury in pre-Arc incident

Oisin Murphy felt he was fortunate not to suffer more serious injuries after being thrown into the rail in the Salisbury paddock on Thursday and insisted he was raring to go ahead of big rides at Newmarket and in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The champion jockey, who is booked to partner Japanese contender Chrono Genesis in the Arc at Longchamp on Sunday, was taken to hospital and required stitches to his lip after debutant Oasis Gift took off and unseated Murphy in the parade ring.

Oisin Murphy left needing stitches after parade ring incident

"I'm absolutely fine and passed the doctor," said Murphy, who rode at Ascot on Friday. "I need to keep going and I've got nice rides at Newmarket before Longchamp on Sunday.

"He got a bit of a fright when I landed on his back and he galloped across the paddock – I probably should have stayed on. My lip hit part of a railing and split in half, but they did a good job stitching it."

Murphy endured a similar pre-race incident at Epsom on August 30, when Canagat unseated him after taking off on the way to the start.

Oisin Murphy's mount crashed through paddock rails in a frightening incident on ThursdayCredit: RacingTV

"It's not ideal, but I've had two incidents when I've got out of control with no irons and I've walked away unscathed," added Murphy, who led William Buick by ten winners in the jockeys' championship before Friday night's meeting at Newcastle.

"I'm fortunate as often when you hit the ground you break something and it's a very important two weeks for me."

It could be a big weekend for the jockey, too, as he partners Primo Bacio in the Group 1 Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (2.55) at Newmarket on Saturday before getting on board Chrono Genesis in Paris.

The Takashi Saito-trained five-year-old, who is generally available at 10-1 for the Arc, is a four-time Grade 1 winner in Japan and was narrowly denied by Mishriff in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March. She has drawn stall 14 in the Arc.

'I hope she'll put up a huge performance' – Murphy thrilled with Chrono

"The draw is a bit awkward, but I'd prefer to be drawn there than one or two," said Murphy. "She's not super big but she's very strong. In her races in Japan, she's never fought her way out so hopefully I'll be able to peel out in the straight. She's a superstar with a great mind and has the important experience of having been to Dubai.

"Her trainer is young and open to ideas, and we've agreed on almost everything so I hope we can get the result everybody craves. Her jockey got injured so I was booked to take the ride relatively early."

Longchamp waiting for rain to arrive

The guessing game over the final state of the ground at Longchamp this weekend goes on as officials wait for heavy rain to arrive.

After another dry 24 hours, the going on Friday morning was virtually unchanged at 3.5 or soft on the French penetrometer, or good to soft, good in places at 7.5 on the Turftrax GoingStick.

There was persistent drizzle across the Seine at Saint-Cloud on Friday afternoon, but the main event is currently forecast to arrive late on Saturday – potentially sparing the course a drenching for the first day of the meeting.

France Galop estimates 15-20mm of rain Saturday into Sunday, with the ground potentially very soft, although some forecasts are saying there could be as much as 30mm.

Read more on the 2021 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: the runners, the odds, the verdict

'A live each-way player' – three horses who will relish a soft-ground Arc

Longchamp dark horses: four runners who could be overpriced on Arc weekend

Who will win the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe based on previous trends?

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe tips: why this horse can win Sunday's big race

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: essential info for the big race at Longchamp

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